Project Overview
This project developed statewide trainings and educational resources on farm labor law compliance to help producers manage legal risks and avoid labor violations and sanctions. 257 beginning and established producers learned strategies to comply with requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Migrant/Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and other agricultural labor laws. We conducted three comprehensive training workshops in SE, Central, and Western Massachusetts covering: labor law 101; hiring contractors vs. employees; designing "legal" farm apprenticeships, internships, and volunteer programs; understanding workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance requirements; and other human resource topics selected by legal experts in agricultural labor law. We conducted two regional webinars and recorded an in-person training on farm labor covering labor requirements that were posted online and disseminated broadly and viewed by over 233 producers. A multi-page brochure on Massachusetts farm labor laws posted online and distributed to 2,500 producers. Additional 1-1 technical assistance to 3 farmers and several non-profit organizations improved labor management compliance through pro-bono legal guidance. Farmers reported improving their understanding of human resource and legal risk management topics, adopting a new or modified labor management practice, and gaining knowledge to avoid making costly mistakes.
Number of Participants: 257
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.