An Urgent Request from Dr. Richard Stup, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development:

Many New York farm employers will receive a survey in the coming weeks in an envelope from our contractor, Michigan State University Office for Survey Research. This mailing is part of Cornell research about how changing labor markets and regulations are affecting the viability of farming in New York. The industry needs relevant and timely information from farms like yours to speak with authority about what is happening and find solutions for the future. We can’t do this without you!

My colleagues and I have already produced a preliminary report based on the participation of farms in related research last year, see “Effects of NY Overtime Laws on Agricultural Production Costs and Competitiveness.” The results from this study were used by policy makers, the press, and farm groups in the recent wage board hearings. We need your help to provide this type of work on a larger scale about farm labor management.

This work is important because:

1. New York’s agricultural industry needs this important data about how changing markets and regulations affect the industry and the people who work in it. This data can affect state policies and regulations directly, as evidenced by the current wage board process.
2. Cornell researchers and educators need this data to help improve human resource management and workforce development in New York. A well-trained workforce is key to a viable future for farming in our state.
3. New York’s labor challenges are not going away any time soon. We need data and insights to respond more proactively to challenges this year, and the next, and the next.

If you receive this survey in the mail from Michigan State, it is urgent that you respond. Fill out the paper survey with your farm information and return it in the provided envelope. If you need help, our Cornell team is ready to support you to complete the survey. Contact Rachel McCarthy (rpl4@cornell.edu or (607) 255-7871) to schedule assistance.

On behalf of the research team, thank you in advance for your participation in this study.

Rich Stup

Richard E. Stup, Ph.D., Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Cornell University

Office 607-255-7890

rstup@cornell.edu  |  agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu