During the winter and spring of 2008, CIRS will offer workshops for growers and grower associations that highlight a broad range of labor management practices – including many that are no- or low-cost – which can help improve worker satisfaction and retention. Recent California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS) case study research with employers and employees on twelve farms throughout California has found that implementing these practices can result in a "win-win" situation, with benefits for both farmers and their employees. Some of the benefits for employers include: reduced turnover and associated costs, increased productivity, and access to growing niche markets for products from farms with positive labor conditions.
During the workshops, participants will become familiar with practical strategies for implementing positive labor practices; discuss the challenges and benefits associated with positive labor management practices with other agricultural employers; and learn about new market opportunities and certification programs for farms with socially responsible labor practices. Participants will also be eligible for continuing technical assistance related to implementing positive labor practices on their farms.
Workshops can be tailored to meet the interests and time constraints of grower associations. Please contact Erin Hardie at ehardie@cirsinc.org or at 530-756-6555 x20 for more information about organizing a workshop in your area.CURRENTLY SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
November 2, 2007 Sustainable Ag Expo, Paso Robles January 15, 2008 Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group January 24, 2008 Eco-Farm Conference, Pacific Grove February 8, 2008 UCCE Ventura County, Ventura February 14, 2008 UCCE San Benito County, Hollister February 25, 2008 Small Farm Conference, Visalia March 12, 2008 Sonoma Winegrape Commission, Santa Rosa 8:00AM- 10:00AM March 13, 2008 Agriculture Land-Based Training Institute PEPA Program, Salinas March 21, 2008 Humboldt Logging Conference, Eureka 11:00AM-1:00PM
March 25, 2008 ALBA AgMatters, Salinas April 1, 2008 Pajaro Valley Health Trust, Watsonville
9:00AM-12:00PM
SAMPLE WORKSHOP AGENDA
Positive Practices in Farm Labor Management
Co-sponsored by: California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS) and various organizations depending on region or area
Why come to this workshop?
This workshop will provide agricultural employers with practical tools and information about positive labor practices so that they can:
- Improve employee satisfaction and retention
- Increase productivity while reducing costs
- Improve access to markets seeking products from farms with fair labor practices
During this workshop, participants will...
- Learn from other agricultural employers in the industry about their experiences implementing innovative labor practices that improve employee satisfaction, boost productivity and reduce operational costs.
- Become familiar with low and no cost positive labor practices based on CIRS research with small-medium scale growers and their employees throughout California.
- Learn about new market opportunities for domestic "fair trade" and certification programs for farms implementing socially responsible labor practices.
Workshop Schedule (based on a 2-hour workshop)
- Welcome, introductions, overview (refreshments provided)
- Labor practices self-assessment
- Overview of CIRS research on Positive Practices in farm labor management
- Discussion of Positive Practices: What has worked, or hasn't worked for you?
- Developing your own Positive Practices
- Emerging market opportunities for domestic "fair trade" products
- Conclusion and evaluation
For more information about Agricultural Labor Management, please see the following links
With funding from: The Columbia Foundation, Western Center for Risk Management Education (WCRME), Western SARE