Supervising Farm Employees: Farm Labor Management Master Class in Eastern NY
Event Details
Date
March 2 - March 3, 2020
Time
10am-4pm
Location
CCE Dutchess County
2715 Route 44
Millbrook, NY 12545
Cost
First attendee from a farm : $60.00
Additional attendees from the same farm : $50.00
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureElizabeth Higgins
518-949-3722
email Elizabeth Higgins
To Register: Click on the registration link to go to the Cornell Ag Workforce Registration Page Registration Link. Make sure that you select the March 2-3 workshop in Dutchess County (unless you prefer to take the class in Western NY later that month).
Supervising Farm Employees: The Farm Labor Management Master Class in Eastern NY is a hands-on workshop to explore best practices in supervising farm employees. Participants will learn concepts in leadership and immediately apply them through hands-on practice and interaction. Experienced and new supervisors will benefit from the workshop as will those who are not yet supervisors but expect to have that responsibility soon. Specific topics will include:
- Transitioning from high performer to supervisor
- Management styles
- Human motivation
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Communications
- Managing performance
The class will be led by Richard Stup, Ph.D. the Ag Workforce Development Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension. Other speakers include Elizabeth Higgins, Ag Business Specialist, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team and Mark Wiltberger, Ag Business Specialist, Lake Ontario Fruit Team. The same program will be held in Western NY on March 16-17 if you can't make the 2nd and 3rd. Contact Elizabeth Higgins (emh56@cornell.edu) for more information.
Lunch and all program materials are included in the registration fee of $60. There is a discounted fee of $50 for additional participants from the same farm.
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.