Completed Project Report


Educating Massachusetts Farmers on Avoiding Risks in Farm Labor Law Compliance

  • Award Amount: $37,456
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2017 Education Projects
  • Project Director: Jennifer Hashley
  • Email: jennifer.hashley@tufts.edu
  • Organization: Trustees of Tufts College / New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

Extension RME Regional Centers
Extension Risk Management Education Region Map

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

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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DELIVERY AREA

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