NEW: Cost-share Program for GAPC Grower Members who grow Tobacco

GAP Connections is offering farmworker training on a range of topics including all the required topics for GAPC Certification. This training can be done on your farm or at an extension office. It is interactive, fun, and educational and can be offered in English and Spanish. Basic training can be completed in 2-hours with the option to add additional topics and time as needed.

Have produce on your farm? Consider adding food safety topics such as handling and hygiene for workers. Do you want to discuss the expectations you have in handling or harvesting the crop? Do you want to discuss the importance of maintaining worker housing in good condition? All of this and more can be addressed at this training.

If you grow tobacco, there is an available cost-share program that will provide a 50% discount on training. Join with a neighbor and split costs to make the training more cost effective. For example, two operations that grow tobacco can join for one training and the costs of that training will only be $100 per operation. Each training allows a maximum of 50 farmworkers to be trained at each session.

Benefits of Training

Increased productivity and performance: When workers undergo training, it improves their skills and knowledge of the job and builds their confidence in their abilities. This will improve their performance and make them work more efficiently and effectively.
Reduced wastage: When workers are trained, they will learn to make good, safe, and economical use of the farm's materials, tools and equipment. Accidents and equipment damage will be minimized.
Boosted morale: Workers on farms who go through training programs will feel like they are a part of a supportive work environment where they are appreciated, which will boost their morale and make them approach their job duties with more self-confidence.
Improved knowledge of expectations: A good training program will always help workers get acquainted with the farm’s expectations, reducing conflict and misunderstandings between themselves and the employer.
Better workplace environment: Consistent training will help workers work more effectively in the workplace environment. This creates an atmosphere in the organization that encourages every worker to feel valued and welcomed.

A farmworker in North Carolina said, “I think the training was perfect because it helped us take precautions in the work that we do during the season.”

The GAPC Customized Farmworker Training cost-share program would not be possible without the generous sponsorships from Altria Client Services, Burley & Dark Tobacco Producers Association, Burley Stabilization Cooperative, Gallatin Redrying & Storage Company, Hail & Cotton, Pxyus/Alliance One International, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina, Universal Leaf, and US Tobacco Cooperative.

The GAPC Customized Farmworker Training cost-share program is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To take advantage of this program contact GAPC Training Coordinator, at (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com.

Learn More

Need to Complete 2023 Annual GAP Training ?

Growers that have missed Annual GAP Training can complete Online Training through their Grower Dashboard on the GAP Connections website. In addition to the online training, Burley & Dark Growers in Kentucky & Tennessee, can contact their County Extension Agent to schedule or get on a list to view the 2023 Annual GAP Training video.

Online Training Instructions

Growers will have a variety of content videos in crop & environment, labor, and GAPC that they may select from to view. Once a grower completes watching the video, a short quiz will evaluate knowledge gained. Growers must score a 100% on the quiz for training credit to count.

One video is not enough!

To complete Annual GAP Training online and earn training credit, growers will be required to complete:

3 crop & environment video courses & quizzes
3 labor video courses & quizzes
3 GAPC video courses & quizzes

For questions about Annual GAP Training, please contact Amy Rochkes, Training and Resource Coordinator, at (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com.

Deadline to complete Annual GAP Training is June 30

Need record templates?

GAP record templates, required posters, and training materials are available on our website.

Purchase GAPC Records from the GAPC Store
Download editable PDF files
Download Excel Spreadsheet

Growers Participating in the GAPC Certification Program

Your application has been approved. What's next?

Begin working on the Self-Assessment. The Self-Assessment is a requirement for all growers in the Certification program and it is one per operation. The Self-Assessment can be found by logging into the Grower Dashboard and clicking "Grower Self-Assessment". It is required to be completed by the 2023 monitoring visit. A new resource is available with step by step instructions on how to complete the Self-Assessment. View video tutorial here.
Verify training is completed. All growers listed on the application must complete Annual GAP Training by June 30. Growers can view the "Training Report" on their Grower Dashboard to verify completion.
The monitoring firm will contact you. Monitoring firms will call 2-3 weeks before to schedule the visit. Any questions about scheduling or invoicing should go directly to the monitoring firm. Visits will begin in late June in the flue-cured regions, late July in the burley/dark regions.
Prepare. Review the 2023 GAPC Certification Compliance Guide to prepare for your visit. Check your inbox for weekly tips to help you achieve GAPC Certification.
Need help? GAPC staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p EST to answer any questions.
Still time to apply. Growers may continue to apply at www.gapconnections.com with $100 late fee. Availability subject to monitoring firm schedule.

Georgia - Florida Tobacco Tour | June 5-7

The tour will begin with a Kick-Off Supper in Live Oak, FL, on Monday, June 5, and end near Metter, Georgia on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Please register on the website and return to the site prior to the tour for more detailed information on the tour schedule and directions. Make your own hotel reservations using the telephone numbers or links provided by May 29, 2023 with reference to the “Tobacco Tour” block of rooms.

South Carolina Tobacco Tour | July 11-12

The tour will kick off with check-in at the Hampton Inn Georgetown Marina on July 11 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm, and supper that evening at a local restaurant.

The first stop of the tour will begin at 9:00 AM on July 12 near Squires farm in Georgetown County. Lunch provided at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center at noon and end in Sumter, SC around 3:30 PM. A more detailed tour schedule will be sent at a later date to the email address provided in registration.

Hotel Block is available now through June 11 using the group name “Clemson”. Book on the hotel’s website, or by calling (843) 545-5000.

H-2A Wages Become a Bit More Clear with Newly Released Data

by Veronica Nigh, Senior Economist at American Farm Bureau Federation

On April 25, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the results of the May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (OEWS). This is important because under the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) final rule that went into effect on March 30, the OEWS data is now the basis for the single-Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) H-2A AEWRs, which are the wage rates paid to H2-A visa holders with specific jobs outside the primary farm occupations, unless the six SOC code AEWR is higher and then it must be paid. In accordance with the final rule, the single-SOC AEWRs based on the newly released OEWS data will be announced in a Federal Register notice and become effective on or about July 1. The single-SOC OEWS-based AEWRs will apply from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.