Nov 18, 2020
Ag employers’ group sets agenda for annual Ag Labor Forum

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) announced Nov. 18 its agenda for the Annual Ag Labor Forum which will be held virtually on Dec. 2-4, 2020.

According to a news release, NCAE’s annual event brings together key thought leaders in agricultural employment and labor from across the United States. It is the event you do not want to miss if you have any connection to how America’s food is produced.

“This year’s agenda is outstanding, and the speakers are truly leaders in their fields,” said Michael Marsh, President and CEO.  “This year’s event following so soon after the election will provide attendees a peek behind the curtain as to what a new Administration and Congress might have in store for agricultural employers”.

One of the panels will investigate the possibility of immigration reform finally occurring and what that might hold for agricultural employers facing chronic labor shortages.  This panel will crack open the topic and see where it leads.

COVID-19 has impacted every sector of the US economy and farmers and ranchers have not been exempt.  One of the sessions will uncover what that economic impact meant to agriculture in 2020 and seek to shed some light on what to expect in 2021.

Users, and potential users, of the H-2A program will get to hear from experts on two innovative program tracks (H-2A 101 for participants new to the program and H-2A Advanced Topics for more seasoned users).  The new rule on Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) will be dissected as its impact on all US agricultural wages is likely to be profound.  And, we may finally have the balance of a new rule on H-2A from the Department of Labor nearly a year and a half in the making to examine as well.

Government officials will be on hand to discuss compliance with the requirements of the Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification and the Wage and Hour Division.  The State Department will discuss the latest from foreign consulates and importantly, from Mission Mexico.  The Vice-Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will update the Forum on what he sees in agriculture and how employers can enhance their compliance.

The Ministers of Labor from Guatemala and Honduras will each discuss with attendees information regarding implementation of recent bilateral labor agreements with the Trump Administration and what that might mean for labor availability in 2021 and beyond.

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) will do a deep dive on safety issues on the farm related to COVID-19.  And, as usual with NCAE programs, much of the content will be eligible for continuing education credit from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

“Limited sponsorship opportunities remain for this event that reaches hundreds of attendees in a COVID safe format,” said Marsh.  “Members receive a significant discount off registration fees and the event provides nonmembers a “look under the hood” of the battles NCAE successfully wages in the Congress and with federal agencies.  This is a must-attend event!”

Registration and the program agenda can be accessed by going here.

NCAE is the national trade association focusing on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s viewpoint.

 




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