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Coping with Ag Labor Uncertainties in 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Holiday Inn, Liverpool, New York
8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Editors Note: This is one of the best programs we have seen that addresses a number of the concerns growers have with the availability, or unavailability of a labor force in the Lake Erie Region.

What is the status of national immigration reform? Are Social Security no match penalties on the horizon? What are my legal rights as an employer of immigrant workers? How do I plan to meet farm business labor needs in a state likely to have an inadequate labor force in the year ahead? These are a few other the questions that will be answered at the "Coping with Ag Labor Uncertainties" conference in Liverpool, NY on February 12.

Agricultural employers are currently caught between an inactive US Congress and an increasing loss of workers. Attempting to secure and maintain a qualified labor force for a perishable and often seasonal product is becoming more difficult. This issue is not likely to be resolved in a way that meets agricultural needs in the next year.

This conference will help agricultural employers understand factors fueling labor uncertainties; the current political landscape, employee detention and deportation practices, driver license proposals and Social Security no-match letters. Enhancing business performance will also be addressed through the topics of; employee education, cross cultural understanding, and improving communication skills in the work place.

Be proactive in addressing labor issues for your farm business in 2008. Attend this conference to get a jump on preparing for the competition for agricultural labor in 2008 and beyond!

Pre-registration is required by January 31, 2008. The registration fee is $50. per person. Registration opens with coffee at 8a.m. with the program beginning at 9:00 a.m. Lunch is included. Please see the attached agenda for specific topics and speakers.

For a printed copy of the registration form please contact Loree McOwen in the Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, phone 607-255-4317, fax 607-255-1589, email lam224@cornell.edu.

On February 27 and 28, there will be an Industry Training and Education program in the Finger Lakes, and growers from this region can register for the training program.

As part of the Total Quality Focus Program, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation is sponsoring an industry training program for winery tasting room staff as a part of the TQF's commitment "to instill awareness of and commitment to quality in every aspect of the industry and at all levels from grape growers and winery owners to winemakers and tasting room staff."

We encourage local wineries to participate in these training programs to work toward improving not only *wine* quality, but also *winery* quality. Rochester Institute of Technology and the New York Wine and Culinary Center will provide instructors to discuss tasting room operations, online marketing, trade and media relations, wine competitions, and label design.

The cost for registration is $65, and the contact person for more information or to register is Jennifer Cooper at the NY Wine & Grape Foundation at JenniferCooper@nywgf.org, 585-394-3620.