Oct 28, 2021

Agenda set for NCAE Ag Labor Forum in December

The National Council of Agricultural Employers announced Oct. 27 its agenda for the Annual Ag Labor Forum which will be held Dec. 1-3, at the M Resort just outside Las Vegas, Nevada.

The National Council of Agricultural Employers’ (NCAE )annual event brings together key thought leaders in agricultural employment and labor from across the United States.

“This year’s agenda is terrific, and our speakers are leaders in their respective fields,” Michael Marsh, president and CEO, said in a news release. “This 2021 Forum will provide attendees, among other things, a peek behind the curtain as to what the Biden administration and the 117th Congress have in store for agricultural employers.  We will also unpack new and proposed regulations so the audience can get a head start on compliance.”

COVID-19 has impacted every sector of the U.S. economy and farmers and ranchers have not been exempt. One of the sessions will uncover what that economic impact meant to agriculture in 2021 and seek to shed some light on what to expect in 2022.

Recent ransomware attacks on agricultural enterprises will be discussed.  Forum participants will have an opportunity to learn what they can do to harden their operations so as not to be a target of malicious actors.

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). Any new pronouncements on Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) will be dissected as AEWR impacts on all U.S. agricultural wages are profound.

Government officials will be on hand to discuss compliance with 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 and Mission Guatemala.  Commissioner Keith Sonderling from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will update the forum on what he sees in agriculture and how employers can enhance their compliance.

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) will do a deep dive on safety issues on the farm and what to expect from OSHA and Cal-OSHA.  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,” said Marsh.  “Of course, NCAE 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, the program agenda, and NCAE’s discounted room block, can be accessed by visiting here.

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