By Clint Thompson
Two issues remain on the minds of Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop producers, says Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner.
“I think depending on who you ask, you’re either going to get the answer, trade and labor, or you’re going to get the answer, labor and trade,” Joyner said.
Labor will be front and center at the 2021 Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, to be held Sept. 1-3 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at Seaworld. Producers are encouraged to attend and learn how to avoid legal issues before they occur.
Event Outlook
The event starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Christine Synan with FFVA will provide basic information on how to file with the H-2A program. Representatives with the Department of Labor will also speak on the H-2A program. H-2A is the primary method growers find workers for their farming operations.
Thursday will consist of issues like work safety, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) compliance, labor transportation standards, safety in the workplace and wage and hour compliance for Ag operations.
On Friday, topics ranging from I-9 compliance to government audits will be discussed.
This is the 47th annual Ag Labor Relations Forum. Joyner said the FFVA partners with the Florida Citrus Packers, Florida Farm Bureau, Gulf Citrus Growers Association, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association; Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Citrus Mutual and the National Watermelon Association to plan the event and work through topics that attendees want to hear.
“The planning is well done on the front end. We’ve got the right people in the audience. These are the men and women who are going to go back and put this to use. I would argue we’ve got a who’s who from a presenter standpoint,” Joyner said.
Click here to register. Online registration is available until Friday, Aug. 27.