In this issue: DOL minimum salary increase for ‘exempt’ positions effective July 1! New federal Final Rule for H2A labor protections take effect on June 27. Point of Sale data can help you improve your returns at markets. Cornell Ag Workforce Farm-Provided Housing guide is available. USDA-FSA farm storage loans and upcoming programs
Tag: farm labor
The Power of WHY
Explaining ‘WHY’ is one of the easiest ways to enhance productivity, increase trust, foster self-confidence, and improve your relationship with your employees.
The Bottom Line No. 3
In this issue: US House Ag Labor Working Group releases H2A policy recommendations. How produce farms in New York are adapting to increased labor costs. Sources for ag data from USDA Economic Research Service you can use for your next grant or business plan. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is accepting applications as well as USDA FSA farm labor housing loans and updates to other grant programs. Upcoming business programs.
The Bottom Line No. 2
Bottom Line No. 2, April 10, 2024. In this issue: Cash rent and custom labor survey and farm employee benchmark survey. Updated information about the resilient food infrastructure program grant is available. NY FarmNet publication to help guide retirement planning for farmers. Upcoming business programs.
The Bottom Line No. 1
No 1, March 27, 2028: FSA disaster loans are available in Clinton and Essex counties, research-based tips for getting more $$$ from U-Pick customers, a new NYS DOL portal to identify and hire asylum seekers and an upcoming webinar with details about hiring asylum seekers on your farm April 5th. Also in this issue, there are many open grant opportunities for farms open this spring and a list of upcoming farm business webinars.
Farm Employers Can Now Hire Asylum Seekers for Work
In the fall of 2023, the U.S. government granted Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan migrants. As a result, many of this group now are authorized to work in the U.S. with a document called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). New York state has established a website where employers can register their interest in finding and hiring asylum seekers.
Use the New I-9 to Document Authorization to Work
A new year brings a good opportunity to remind employers that there is a new version of the U.S. government’s “Employment Eligibility Verification” form, better known as I-9.
Overtime Tax Credit
Eligible farm employers will be able to apply for the Farm Employer Overtime Tax Credit starting this year to help offset the cost of the overtime premium. Both the state Departments of Agriculture and Markets, and Tax and Finance have set up webpages to help explain this new tax credit and how to apply for it.
Online Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Train the Trainer Course Approved
Teresa Rusinek, Extension Specialist CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program The WPS is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation intended to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from risk of exposure. If you are an agricultural employer or manager, you must know your responsibilities under the WPS and provide WPS training and protections to employees. Read More…
NEW RESEARCH REPORT: How NY Farmers Adapted to New Farm Labor Overtime Requirements
by Richard Stup, Elizabeth Higgins, Jason Karszes, Bradley Rickard and Christopher Wolf New York farmers are putting much thought into adapting their businesses in response to the state’s farm labor overtime requirements. Cornell researchers are studying how farms adapted and continue to adapt to changing regulatory requirements and to an overall tight and competitive labor market. Read More…
New Regulations for the H2A Program Become Effective November 12, 2022
The final rule, which is available on the Federal Register, won’t be officially published there until Oct. 12, and it becomes effective Nov. 12. Changes to the program include governmental authority to ban some people from the program for misconduct, upgrades to worker housing requirements and inspections, updates to bond requirements for labor contractors, mandatory electronic Read More…