Page 82 - strategicfactbook

Labor Project Team
Final Report: June, 2020
14. Integrated rules changes eliminating advertising and original signature requirements 15. Adopted new DOL Foreign Labor Recruitment Gateway (FLAG) system
16. Consolidated west regional offices in new Rockford location (Sean Black Agency)
17. Continue to meet or exceed financial targets
18. 2020-2022 Budget and Business Plan, completed and approved
Objective 4: By March 1, 2020 Michigan Farm Bureau will explore the concept, and pilot an electronic, fee based, ag labor management, training and educational program to address issues identified in the 2018 grower survey.
Recommendation: CONTINUE
Trend: Greater acceptance of on-line learning following the virus outbreak
Tactics:
1. Working with Cornerstone Learning Management System to pilot online training platform.
2. Plan to pilot with existing worker safety training materials from ALSS and partner with FBI with a focus on Workers Compensation insurance incidents.
3. Working on pilot program using MSU model focusing on transportation and grain confined space safety from BAP and FO priorities, along with marketing and loss reduction.
4. Release Transportation Guidebook with training and local meetings highlighting key changes
5. Developed COVID -19 “Advisory to Protect Farm Workers” document.
Objective 5: By December 31, 2020 Michigan Farm Bureau will work with the Executive branch, legislative branch and regulatory agencies at the state and national levels
to address the labor needs and challenges identified by members in the 2018 and subsequent surveys.
Recommendation: CONTINUE
Tactics:
1. Explore legislative/legal/regulatory solutions to labor/H-2A laws.
a. Ongoing activities with concurrent actions to support passage of comprehensive immigration reform, along with continued enhancements to H-2A through Secretaries H-2A Agricultural Worker Visa Modernization Joint Cabinet Statement | USDA
b. Comments on PRM 9/24/2019)
c. Passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) 10/31/1019
d. Seeking AEWR injunctive relief.
e. Clarification and outreach to growers on USDA NASS Farm Labor Survey which is the basis for the AEWR
Trend: National: Continue to build on “essential status” designation and greater regulatory flexibility provided through the virus outbreak. Continue streamlining efforts, address AEWR and expand to include year-round jobs through rule changes and legislation.
2. Explore the development of an “app” that includes ag labor that is nationwide, ag specific and is connected to a multitude of ag labor services and needs, both public and private
a. Supported AgHelp app through AFBF AG Innovation Challenge and on-going promotion.
3. Work with educational community to enhance workforce development training for agriculture
a. Youth Employment in ag moved from Dept. of Educ. back to Labor Economic Opportunity (LEO) wage and hour
b. Created partnerships at the local level between agriculture, FFA, school districts, community colleges,