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Registration is Open for the Farmworker Training Cost Share Program |
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GAP Connections (GAPC) is excited to announce the continuation of the Farmworker Training and Cost Share Program for 2024.
In 2023, 56 GAPC Grower Members in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia took advantage of the Farmworker Training Cost-Share Program at 25 different locations, training over 778 farmworkers. We would love to see more grower members take advantage of this benefit made possible through sponsorship funds from the tobacco industry.
Through the cost-share program, GAPC Grower Members who grow tobacco can schedule a two-hour farmworker training for a cost of $200. That is a $200 benefit to growers! If more topics are desired, each additional hour of training will also be cost-shared at a rate of $50 per hour.
GAPC Grower Members can work with neighboring growers to further share costs if workforces can be combined for a training session. Coordinating with other growers is a great way for smaller operations to gain more cost-savings.
The choice of training topics is numerous and varied to offer a full and complete package for operations that may be looking for safety and compliance training to meet different requirements. Topics range from general farm safety, worker rights and expectations, laws and regulations, to specific topics such as food safety and crop integrity. Click here to view the 2024 GAPC Farmworker Training program catalog to view all available topics.
A farmworker in Kentucky said, “I liked the way the training was presented. It was very entertaining and informative.”
Registration is now open. The GAPC Farmworker Training cost-share is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To take advantage of this program, contact Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com.
Learn More.
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| 2024 Annual GAPC Training |
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Need to Complete 2024 Annual GAPC Training? |
Annual GAPC Training that was offered in-person has wrapped up for 2024. Growers that have not completed training can complete training through their Grower Dashboard. In addition to online training, Burley and Dark Growers can contact their County Extension Agent to schedule or get on a list to view the 2024 Annual GAPC Training make-up video.
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Online Training Instructions
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In order to complete online training, a grower needs to watch 3 videos from each category and pass the knowledge assessment quiz for each video course with a score of 100%. The quizzes can be taken multiple times until the passing score is achieved. This means there are a total of 9 videos and quizzes for completion. It's important to note that you are not required to watch all videos - you can choose which topics interest you.
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- 3 Crop & Environment Video Courses & Quizzes
- 3 Labor Video Courses & Quizzes
- 3 GAPC Video Courses & Quizzes
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If you have questions or having trouble completing online training, please contact Amy Rochkes, (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com
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Deadline to complete Annual GAPC Training is June 30.
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Editable versions of the GAPC Record Templates can be found on our website or growers may purchase the GAPC Record Template packet from the GAPC Store.
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| GAPC Tobacco Certification |
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My application is approved. What is next?
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Begin working on the Self-Assessment. Once the application is approved, you may begin working on the required Self-Assessment that must be completed prior to the Monitoring Visit. The Self-Assessment is one per operation.
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Verify training is completed. All growers listed on the application must complete Annual GAPC Training by June 30. 2024.
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Be on the lookout. The monitoring firm will contact you via phone call, text, or email to schedule the visit. You have been placed on their contact list, and they will contact you 2-3 weeks before arrival. Any questions about scheduling or invoicing should go directly to the monitoring firm. Visits will begin mid-July.
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Prepare. Start preparing for the Monitoring Visit by reviewing the 2024 Certification Compliance Guide.
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Need help? GAPC staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST to answer any questions.
- Still time to apply. Grower may continue to apply at www.gapconnections.com with $100 late fee. Availability subject to monitoring firm schedule.
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| New Episode Out Now! "Let's Talk About Labor" Podcast hosted by University of TN and GAP Connections |
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GAP Connections is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast "Let's Talk About Labor" that aims to address labor needs to farmers in Tennessee and other surrounding states. The podcast is a collaborative effort of University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and GAP Connections.
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Episode 1: Let's talk about the H-2A program - Farmer's experiences with the H-2A program.
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In this month's episode, George McDonald, owner of Catesa Farms, and Bart Gilmer, one of the owners of Falcon Ridge Farm, will talk about their general experience with the H-2A program. The H-2A temporary agricultural program, also called the H-2A visa program, is a program that allows U.S. agricultural employers experiencing a shortage of domestic workers to fill seasonal or temporary jobs with foreign nonimmigrant workers.
Listen here.
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Episode 2: H-2A Worker Housing: Practical Things I Need to Know Before Considering the H-2A Program
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In this episode, George McDonald, owner of Catesa Farms, and Bart Gilmer, one of the owners of Falcon Ridge Farm, will talk about housing requirements related to the H-2A program. Employers of H-2A workers must provide housing at no cost to workers. If the employer decides to secure rental accommodations, such as apartments, hotels, or motels, the employer is required to pay all housing-related charges directly to the housing management. Employer-provided or secured housing must meet all applicable safety standards. Housing costs include repairs, water testing, and utilities if the employer is providing housing on-site instead of securing rental accommodations. In Tennessee, the type of housing provided by employers to H-2A workers varies greatly depending on the number of workers.
Listen here.
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Events and News from Others |
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Final Rule: Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States |
| Regulatory and New Form Overview Webinar for the 2024 H-2A Farmworker Protection Final Rule |
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The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule, “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States”, which increases and strengthens worker protections, enhances the Department’s enforcement capabilities in the H-2A temporary agricultural employment program and helps to ensure that an employer’s use of the H-2A program does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S.
The final rule includes the following changes, which will be enforced by the Wage and Hour Division:
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Provides stronger protections for workers employed under the H-2A program to advocate on behalf of themselves and their coworkers regarding working conditions and prevents employers from suppressing this activity. Specifically, the final rule:
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Expands and clarifies the range of activities that are protected by the anti-retaliation provisions to include consulting with key service providers on matters related to the H-2A program; filing a complaint related to any applicable Federal, State or local laws or regulation; and, for workers not already protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), engaging in self-organization or concerted activities and leaving or declining to attend employer-sponsored “captive audience” meetings.
- Clarifies that workers are permitted to invite and accept guests – including friends and family, key service providers, labor organizations and others – to employer-furnished housing.
- Permits workers not covered by the NLRA to designate a representative for certain meetings where an employer seeks to gather information that may result in discipline.
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Clarifies when a termination is “for cause” to ensure that workers are not arbitrarily and unjustly terminated in order to strip them of essential rights to which they would otherwise be entitled, including the three-fourths guarantee, housing and meals until the worker leaves, outbound transportation, and, if the worker is a U.S. worker, to be contacted for employment in the next year.
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Includes requirements to better inform workers of job conditions and assist the Department to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation and abuse.
- Requires employers to pay the updated Adverse Effect Wage Rate immediately upon publication in the Federal Register.
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Improves transportation safety by prohibiting, in most vehicles, the transport of workers unless each occupant is wearing a seat belt.
- Helps prevent labor exploitation and human trafficking by expressly prohibiting employers from holding or confiscating a worker’s passport, visa, or other immigration or government identification documents.
- Streamlines and clarifies procedures for debarment.
- Improves protections for workers if the start of work is delayed.
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On May 23, 2024, the Department of Labor will host a public webinar to educate stakeholders, program users, and other interested members of the public on the changes to the H-2A program made by the 2024 H-2A Farmworker Protection Final Rule. Participants of this webinar will learn from Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Office of Workforce Investment, and the Wage and Hour Division about the key aspects of this rule such as improving worker voice and empowerment, the immediate effective date of Adverse Effect Wave Rates, clarifying termination for cause, improving transparency of job offer, adding transparency to foreign labor recruitment, improving program integrity and enforcement capabilities, discontinuation of services, and other topics. The Final Rule will become effective June 28, 2024, and OFLC will begin accepting applications subject to the provisions of this rule on August 29, 2024.
Please note – there is an attendee maximum of 1000 and a recording of the presentation will be placed on our website for review at a later date.
Meeting information:
Thursday, May 23, 2024
3:00pm EST | 1 hour 30 mins
Join from the meeting link:
https://usdol.webex.com/usdol/j.php?MTID=ma26d3026be80383b09fadbfafa063487
Join by meeting number:
Meeting number (access code): 2828 054 0956
Meeting password: H2ARule2024
Join by phone:
1-877-465-7975 US Toll Free
1-210-795-0506 US Toll
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Georgia - Florida Tobacco Tour | June 17-19, 2024 |
The 2024 Georgia-Florida Tobacco Tour includes multiple demonstration locations of thirteen released varieties grown in Georgia and Florida; multiple research test locations of eleven varieties being evaluated for black shank resistance; a location of the Regional Farm Test for evaluation of eight varieties/potential variety releases for grower handling, cured leaf chemistry and production of cured leaf for production of cigarettes for evaluation by industry smoke/flavor evaluations; and an evaluation a new formulation Orondis premix applied in the transplant water as well as incorporated prior to transplanting for phytotoxicity and for black shank control. A highlight of the tour will be a visit to Wetherington Farms green leaf boxing, curing and cured leaf baling facility in Valdosta.
Click here to learn more about the tour schedule and register for the event.
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Give it a try...GAPC HR/Legal Helpline |
GAPC has a partnership with Jackson Lewis to provide growers with a comprehensive risk management helpline service carefully designed to help manage workforce employment issues and reduce exposure to employment-related liability.
This helpline is FREE to all GAPC grower members. Growers can access the helpline by phone (833) 499-0275 or email GAPConnectionsHotline@jacksonlewis.com. When contacting the helpline, please be prepared to provide, your name, GAPC grower ID #, location, type of issue, phone, and email (if available).
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865.622.4606 | info@gapconnections.com | 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996
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