Webinars
NCAE Educational Webinar Series
In April of 2019, the National Council of Agricultural Employers announced the launch of an educational webinar series focusing on issues facing agricultural employers. This webinar series features industry experts who provide insight and nuance to complex topics facing agricultural employers.
Upcoming Webinars
Check back soon for more!
Past Webinars
Did you miss a webinar? NCAE has made recordings of past webinars available to view. Browse past webinars below. Please reach out to us for access to past webinars.
Farmworker Health Events: Considerations for Employers
April 11, 2024 • 2:00 pm ET, 11:00 am PT
- Matt Solberg, National Center for Farmworker Health, Employer Engagement Coordinator
This interactive webinar was led by Matt Solberg, an Employer Engagement Coordinator with NCFH. Matt delves into survey data that was collected from NCAE members earlier in the year. Viewers will learn insights about how location, number of workers, and many other factors correlated with needs and interests related to worker health resources. Attendees are encouraged to engage in Q & A related to farmworker health, health centers, health departments, H-2A workers and their ability to get healthcare, indigenous language, and more.
Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) Registration
October 19, 2023 • 2:00 pm ET, 11:00 am PT
- Kalen Fraser, The Labor Brain, Owner
Join us on Thursday October 19th at 2pm EST/11am PT for an insightful webinar on federal Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) registration. Many employers that are required to hold FLC cards are frustrated by the application process and months-long backlog at the processing office. In this webinar you’ll learn how to submit an error-free application and time your paperwork correctly from the beginning so that you can keep your cards up-to-date for MSPA and H2A compliance. The webinar will cover initial applications, renewals, farm labor contractor employee registration and amendments that are required to stay current throughout the year. A valuable Q&A session will be included for anything left unanswered. Our presenter for the webinar is Kalen Fraser, owner of Labor Brain, a labor compliance training and consulting company. She has years of experience assisting employers with their FLC and FLCE applications and welcomes the opportunity to share her insight with others.
Unpacking the USDA’s Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program
October 17, 2023 • 3:00 pm ET, 12:00 pm PT
- The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Julie Kurtz, Farm Labor Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The National Council of Agricultural Employers is proud to host the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Julie Kurtz for a educational and insightful webinar discussing USDA’s new grant program, the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. The Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP) will award up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide support for agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program. The program is funded by the Farm Service Agency and will be administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center. Join us October 17, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET/12:00 pm PT to learn more about how you and your operation might participate in this exciting program.
Panel Perspective on Adverse Effect Wage Rate
March 21st, 2023 • 3:00 pm ET, 12:00 pm PT
NCAE’s “Adverse Effect Wage Rate” Webinar will be moderated by Shawn Packer, Principal member of JPH Law. Panelists included:
- Jeanne Malitz, MalitzLaw
- Mark Martens, Agri-Placements International Inc.
- Tom Bortnyk, MAS Labor
The webinar cover and attempt to answer employer questions regarding this new rule and assist employers in complying with this onerous new burden.
Turning Down the Heat: Preparing Employers for Proposed OSHA Heat Regulation
September 12th, 2022 • 2:30 pm ET, 11:30 am PT
“Turning Down the Heat” was moderated by Shawn Packer, Principal member of JPH Law. Panelists included:
- Bryan Little, COO of the California Farm Bureau’s Farm Employers Labor Service
- Jon DeVaney, President of Washington State Tree Fruit Association
- Roberta Gruber, FEELDS Program Director of the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation
- Dr. Brenda Jacklitsch, Health Scientist for the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Small Business Assistance Program
Panelists shared their experiences with existing heat rules in California, Washington, and Oregon, and the CDC perspective.
Participants are be eligible to receive one Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the webinar.
Farmworker Tax Issues
July 14th, 2022 • 2:00 pm ET, 11:00 am PT
This webinar featuring Bob Wunderle covered:
- Unique payroll and income tax considerations regarding domestic and Temporary H-2A farmworkers
- Important considerations for the accounting of tax requirements
- Proper tax treatment of payroll for employer compliance
Bob Wunderle, CPA, MBA, is the Director of the La Posada Tax Clinic in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Mitigating Heat Stress and Increasing Productivity
April 28th, 2022 • 1:00 pm EDT, 10:00 am PDT
This webinar featuring Bethany Boggess Alcauter with the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. will cover:
- Heat Stress and Heat-related illness basics
- Preventing Heat Related Illnesses in Farm Settings
- Effectiveness of Heat-Related Illness Prevention Techniques
Bethany directs a national program focused on reducing the burden of infectious disease among agricultural worker communities as part of a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She holds a BS in community health, an MPH in epidemiology, and a PhD in occupational epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center.
The Current State of Farm Labor Contractor Registration with the Wage and Hour Division
August 4th, 2021 • 2:00 pm EDT, 11:00 am PDT
This webinar featuring Jeanne Malitz with Malitzlaw, Inc. will cover:
- Farm Labor Contractor and Farm Labor Contractor Employee registration process for initials, renewals, and amendments
- Timing for filing and current processing times
- What happens if an application contains an error or is incomplete?
- Contacting the Department of Labor
- Impact of delayed registration on H-2A applications
Jeanne M. Malitz is the principal of Malitzlaw, Inc., a boutique law firm specializing in employment-based immigration matters. Malitzlaw, Inc. has a national presence representing employers on a wide variety of immigration-related matters with an emphasis on permanent labor certification and temporary labor certification for agricultural employers. Her practice also includes counseling on employment verification including E-Verify and I-9-related issues. Ms. Malitz participated on national committees including the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA) and the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE). She was a member and former co-chair of AILA’s national Department of Labor Committee. Ms. Malitz is also a member of the International Network of Boutique Law Firms.
Ms. Malitz received her B.A. degree from the University of San Diego (Magna Cum Laude, 1985) and her J.D. degree from the Boston University School of Law (1990). Ms. Malitz has been nominated as a San Diego “Top Lawyer” for the years 2013 to the present.
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
NCAE is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
Best Practices and Strategies to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Your Workers’ Compensation Program with H-2A Employees
May 13th, 2021 • 2:00 pm EDT, 11:00 am PDT
H-2A is a difficult process in and of itself. Every H-2A employer is required to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. There are some complexities and challenges when these two programs are blended. This webinar will discuss best practices and common pitfalls that can be avoided or addressed. Topics include return to work, medical treatment and safety measures to consider in developing your program.
Speakers:
- Fred Martinez, Assistant Vice President – Zenith Insurance Company
- Ashli Sturgill, Senior Safety and Health Consultant – Zenith Insurance Company
Fred Martinez is an Assistant Vice President Client Services for Zenith Insurance Company on California’s Central Coast. He has worked in the workers’ compensation industry for over 20 years in various claims, marketing and client services roles. He consults with clients and insurance agencies on implementing best practices for managing claims programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics, an MBA and is an AFIS designee.
Ashli Sturgill is a Senior Safety and Health Consultant with Zenith Insurance Company. With over 25 years of experience, Ashli has held positions of varying capacities, primarily in the agricultural industry. Prior to coming to Zenith, she was the Safety Manager for a large berry grower. Ashli holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety & Health from CSU, Fresno and a Master of Science in Occupational Safety & Health from Columbia Southern University. She is a Board Certified Safety Professional and holds an Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist certification and a certificate in Agricultural Human Resources Management.
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Developing a COVID-19 Prevention Program
September 17th, 2020 • 2:00 pm EDT, 11:00 am PDT
Speaker:
- Kiersen Miller, Chief Operating Officer – Ag Workforce.
“COVID-19 caught everyone by surprise. However, for agricultural employers the impact was more significant because their workers are “essential” to US food and national security. Keeping on top of requirements in a dynamic, evolving environment, can feel overwhelming,” said Nigel Bocanegra, Manager of Association Services for NCAE. “Employers want to ensure the safety and health of their employees. This webinar will outline a COVID-19 prevention program that can be replicated with ease.”
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Yes – MSPA Still Matters!
August 13th, 2020 • 2:00 pm EDT, 11:00 am PDT
Speaker:
- Josh Viau, Partner – Fisher & Phillips LLP
The federal Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (“MSPA”), the law many worker advocates and judges refer to as “AWPA,” remains important to H-2A employers even though that law excludes H-2A visa holders. That is because MSPA applies to covered US worker applicants and employees for H-2A jobs. In fact, MSPA layers its requirements on top of H-2A requirements for covered US workers. While there are exclusions from MSPA coverage even for US workers, this law contains special definitions, disclosure requirements and other obligations worth knowing about. As of January 15, 2020, MSPA fines were increased to $2,549 per violation. This webinar will cover these exclusions and coverages and alert you as to whether you need to take a close look to your operation’s compliance.
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Understanding Consulate Waivers in the H-2A Process
June 11th, 2020 • 2:00 pm EDT, 11:00 am PDT
Speaker:
- Joel Anderson, Executive Director – Snake River Farmers Association
“Understanding the Consulate process is critical to H-2A program success, as highlighted by the changes to visa processing during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mr. Anderson. “Now more than ever, understanding waivers of ineligibility in the visa interview process is critical to successful H-2A workforce planning.”
“NCAE’s webinar clarifying temporary and permanent options for overcoming immigration ineligibilities will provide information for employers and agents/attorneys alike to assist with maximizing H-2A program effectiveness.” said Mr. Anderson.
Participants will have an opportunity to ask Mr. Anderson questions about both bills. We expect registration for this webinar to fill up quickly, so those interested in attending should register as soon as possible to guarantee their spot.
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Families First Act and CARES Act: Update for Ag Employers on New Paid-Leave and Stimulus Provisions
Speaker:
- Chris Schulte, Attorney – CJ Lake, LLC
Recorded on April 6th, 2020
Agricultural employers have questions about how two recently signed pieces of legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and CARES Act, affects their operations. This webinar will help clear things up for folks.
Mr. Schulte will discuss key provisions of each bill of which all agricultural employers should be aware. This webinar will be beneficial for both users and non-users of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Participants will have an opportunity to ask Mr. Schulte questions about both bills.
Participants will be eligible to receive one Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the course.
We expect registration for this webinar to fill up quickly, so those interested in attending should register as soon as possible to guarantee their spot.
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Tips for Surviving Wage & Hour Investigations or OFLC Desk Audits
Recorded on August 20th, 2019
Speakers:
- Mike Saqui, President & CEO – Dowling Aaron, the Saqui Law Group Division
- Rebecca Huase-Schultz, Associate Attorney – Dowling Aaron, the Saqui Law Group Division
- Chris Schulte, Attorney – CJ Lake, LLC
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
Responding to audits by the Wage and Hour Division or Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) can be intimidating, we want employers to feel prepared if that occurs. This webinar will focus on areas of concern for both users and non-users of the H-2A program alike.
The featured speakers will discuss tips for preparing for and responding to Wage and Hour Investigations and OFLC Desk Audits. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask the panel questions about these processes.
Participants will be eligible to receive one Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the course.
H-2A 101
Recorded on: June 6th, 2019
Speakers:
- Tom Bortnyk, Vice President and General Counsel, MAS Labor
This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
NCAE’s first webinar, “H-2A 101,” was hosted by Tom Bortnyk, Vice President and General Counsel for MAS Labor. Mr. Bortnyk provided education and expertise to educate new and prospective users of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program and reviewed the do’s and don’ts of the H-2A visa program. The webinar will also serves as a refresher for those who are already familiar with the program.