By Clint Thompson
Georgia specialty crop producers are reminded that this year’s Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Ag Labor Relations Forum is scheduled for Sept. 16-17 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Labor industry leaders will provide attendees pertinent information needed to navigate the complex and complicated world of ag labor, including the controversial H-2A program. There will also be discussions about what’s being done to bring meaningful change to the program, the only reliable source of labor for specialty crop producers.
Chris Butts, GFVGA executive director, discussed the important information that is presented at the forum every year.
“Every year it just becomes more and more critical, as we’re faced with wage increases, you’ve got to be able to operate within the confines of that program and do it on the right side of compliance. It’s a complicated process, and we’ll take two days and take a deep dive into it again,” Butts said.
“I think there’s still a possibility this year of reform. We’re certainly pushing forward either through the appropriations process or through the House Ag Working Committee on Labor Reform. I’m hopeful that reform will be the topic for this year and how we can make the program better and make it sustainable for growers.”
This event is intended for all owners, operators, office managers, personnel managers and service providers for the produce, nursery, landscape, dairy, cotton, and any other farming operations that deal with agricultural labor relations.
Those interested in attending can click here to learn more about the two-day conference as well as to register for the event.