The new worker protections that must be incorporated into job orders filed in connection with H-2A Applications (criteria clearance orders) will apply to workers employed under any criteria clearance orders and associated H-2A applications submitted on or after 12:00AM Eastern Daylight Time on August 29, 2024. Here is a webinar from the USDOL that outlines the changes you will see in the forms ETA 790 and 790A and 9142A.
Author: emh56@cornell.edu
Coming in 2025 – Equipment Only Grants (NYS Ag and Markets)
According to the NYS Ag and Markets website, NYS Ag and Markets Farm and Food Growth Fund applications for Equipment Only Grants will be launched in 2025.
The Bottom Line #10
Equipment Only Grants coming in 2025, New H2A rules take effect on August 28, New York Land Value Trends, Report your storm damage! SARE Farmer Grants and Upcoming Programs
To Net or Not to Net? Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Organic Blueberries
Heather and I have been out visiting berry farms for the past two weeks and we are right in the middle of blueberry and spotted wing drosophlia (SWD) season so this month’s Smart Marketing article from the Dyson School looking at the economics of exclusion netting in organic blueberry production was very timely.
The Bottom Line #9
In this issue: Changes to the H2A program effective August 29! August 6th is farmworker appreciation day. The economics of SWD netting of blueberries, Lean Management, Webinar for the 2024 H-2A Farmworker Protection Final Rule.
Applying principles of Lean Management to improve your bottom line.
Lean Management is a business concept intended to improve processes and increase productivity. It can be defined as “the dynamic process of continuous improvement by empowered employees, in a culture of mutual trust and respect, focused on eliminating waste and maximizing value for our customers”
The Bottom Line #8
In this issue: I’m Back! Welcome our new berry specialist, Heather Kase. Strategies for NYS Grown and Certified Grant. Reminder to update your farm information in the NYS Ag and Markets Farm Directory. Last Call for Producers impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters to apply for Emergency Relief Program. Opportunity for farmer’s market farms to participate in Point-of-Sale Data research project. Automatic vegetable transplanter. GAP Certification Cost Share, Overtime Tax Credit Advance. Upcoming programs.
Procurement Technical Assistance Center – Help with Government Contracting
Increasingly governments and public institutions are being promoted as customers for NY-grown foods. However, most of these organizations rely on contract procurement to source goods and services. They often use bids and may have specific requirements for bidders. How do you break into this market?
FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program – NYS Ag and Markets
If you are a CSA farm that already accepts SNAP (food stamps) as a source of payment for weekly CSA shares, this grant should be of interest to you. If you do not currently participate in this program, you will need to partner with a non-profit or local government to be the applicant.
Farm Financial Scorecard (Center for Farm Financial Management, University of Minnesota)
The Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota has developed a Farm Financial Scorecard that you can complete annually to help you see trends in your farm business. The scorecard uses a set of financial ratios that help you translate your information into a value that you can use to assess your farm’s performance. Ratios also have the advantage of allowing you to benchmark your performance against other farms.
Too much of a good thing? Simplifying your tasting room information could increase sales.
A 2012 study by the Dyson School looked at how descriptions on tasting sheets influenced wine sales in tasting rooms.
The Bottom Line #7
In this issue: Laura McDermott is retiring! FLSP grant awardees are announced, 3 farms in NYS received awards. More tasting room tips for success. Farm financial scorecard can help you monitor your farm’s financial health. FreshConnect CSA for SNAP. Certifying as a woman or minority-owned business in NYS. Free technical assistance is available for government procurement (local state and federal). Upcoming programs.