Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!
Event Details
Date
January 4, 2021
Time
12:00pm-1:30pm
Location
online (zoom link will be provided upon registration)
Cost
Free Registration : Free
Registration includes the 1.5 hour class, 1 hard copy of the planning guide and access to technical assistance and additional programs and resources.
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureBest Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!
- Do you bring groups of seasonal employees onto your farm?
- Every year do you say that NEXT year you will be more organized when they arrive?
- Do you find it challenging to keep up with all of the regulatory requirements for bringing on a new employee?
Then Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees is for YOU!
Attend this 1.5-hour, on-line program Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers. Learn the key things you should have in place to be ready to welcome a group of seasonal workers. This program will follow an onboarding guide, Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees, that was developed by Liz Higgins, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team, Mark Wiltberger, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program, and Richard Stup, CCE Ag Workforce Development Program. The onboarding guide covers:
- required paperwork and documentation for a new hire, including seasonal, migrant workers.
- required trainings (with an emphasis on fruit and vegetable farms) and guides for developing a training plan
- tips for bringing on new employees and having them productive from day 1, especially when you are up to your eyeballs in work!
- tips for creating a welcoming environment where employees feel connected to their workplace and competent on the job.
When you enroll in this program you will receive a hard copy of the guide by mail and be automatically enrolled in all follow-up education, networking and technical assistance offered by the Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees Program to help you have an on-boarding plan ready by March 2021.
In February 2021 you will have access to 4-weeks of on-line, personalized assistance to finalize your 2021 plan. This program, Developing Your Farm's Onboarding Plan for Seasonal Workers, will be a combination of on-line webinars with CCE, NYCAMH, NYS DOL and US DOL, and experienced NYS farmers; online discussion; and access to resources to help you as you get ready for 2021. You will also receive one-on-one technical assistance from CCE and Ag Workforce Development staff on your on-boarding plan and an opportunity to communicate with other farms in NYS who are working on their plans too. This program will be self-paced, so we can accommodate your schedule.
This project is supported by a grant from Northeast Extension Risk Management Education under USDA/NIFA award number 2018-70027-28588.


Upcoming Events
Expanding Farm Sales: Markets, Profits, and Branding Series
January 10, 2026
Looking to diversify where you sell your farm products? This four-part workshop series helps farmers explore new opportunities in direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and institutional markets. Learn how to meet buyer expectations, price for profitability, and build lasting relationships that support your business goals. Participants will strengthen marketing and communication skills, evaluate which sales channels best fit their farm, and connect with buyers, distributors, and local partners who can help expand their reach. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow your market presence, this program will help you chart the right path for your farm's future.
Four Session Series: Saturdays from 10AM to Noon, January 10-January 31, 2026
Attend at one of three locations: Schoharie Extension Center - Cobleskill, NY; Otsego Education Center - Cooperstown, NY; Via Zoom
Pre-registration is requested! Fee: $25 Register Here
Any questions can be directed to Kelley Doolin at kmd322@cornell.edu
Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Prep Course
January 13 - January 14, 2026
Join ENYCHP specialists for an in-depth review of topics covered on the NYS DEC pesticide applicator certification exam. This two-day virtual course includes explanation of key concepts on the core exam, test-taking tips for the core and category exam, practice questions, and Q&A with instructors. Course materials, including program recordings, practice exams, and DEC materials will be available to registrants after the program. This training is geared toward certification categories 1A (agricultural plant), 21 (field and forage), 22 (fruit), and 23 (vegetable).
I thought I was covered for that! Farm Insurance Webinar Series, Jan-Feb 2026
January 13, 2026 : Session 1: Insurance and Risk Management 101
Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and Greg Murk, FarmNet.
January 20, 2026 : Session 2: Liability Insurance
Coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
January 27, 2026 : Session 3:Protecting Yourself from Disasters (Crop Insurance, USDA FSA programs and Flood Insurance)
Are you protected from a weather event on your farm? Learn about your options for Disaster Coverage (crop insurance, FSA programs, flood insurance). Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
February 3, 2026 : Session 4: Insuring People (health, life and disability insurance)
Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
February 10, 2026 : Session 5: Property Insurance
Insuring your infrastructure, equipment, and livestock from loss. Learn about the types of coverage, and the risks they reduce. Colin Hostetter, Tri-County Ag Team, Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Steve Glick, Kevin Daniels Agency.
