Dairy Alliance Blog

by Richard Stup

Since dairy farms operate as year round businesses, we often don’t pay any attention to the special laws and regulations that govern seasonal labor. We think that those issues are relevant only to traditionally seasonal operations such as fruits and vegetables. However, there is at least one regulation that dairy producers should be aware of, seasonal farm labor camps.

Pennsylvania’s definition of a seasonal farm labor camp includes:

• One or more individuals employed in agricultural labor on a seasonal or other temporary basis AND
• camps owned, leased, or operated by an employer or farm labor contractor where four or more unrelated individuals occupy the camp on a yearly basis.

The second point includes dairy farmers who provide housing for four or more unrelated individuals. This means that a dairy farmer who provides such housing must get a permit from the PA Department of Agriculture and must abide by regulations that govern such camps. (Yes, this regulation still applies even though the employees are not seasonal.)

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regulates seasonal farm labor camps and provides a website on the topic. Visit their website or call them (717-787-4315 ) to learn more about camps and how to apply for a permit. You can also download a self inspection form from the website to get yourself prepared.

by Richard Stup

The proposed new No-match rules have been put aside for the time being. A federal judge ruled that the potential damages to innocent people outweighed the Department of Homeland Security’s need to implement the rule. So the proposed no-match rule is put off indefinitely. It may end up in a battle that eventually goes to the Supreme Court. For more on this topic, visit this article from Workforce Management newsletter.

So, does this mean farm employers can rest easy? Hardly. Homeland Security is still using all means available to them to enforce current law and put pressure on employers. All employers should make sure that they have properly completed I-9 forms for all employees.

It is also important for employers to understand that there is a difference between “knowingly” and “unknowingly” employing people Read the rest of this entry »

by Richard Stup

A federal judge in California delayed enforcement of the proposed Social Security No-Match rule for another 10 days. The judge will use that time to prepare a decision about the legality of the proposed rule. More details on this process can be found at this Yahoo! news site. Employers should use this time to continue reviewing their own files and ensuring that they are in compliance with the law.

U.S. News and World Report has given nationwide coverage to the disturbing North Dakota raid that took place in April of this year. The article also explores the economic effects of immigration raids.

Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., agricultural groups that favor immigration reform are working to resurrect the AgJobs bill.

For more information on immigration issues and information on how employers can comply with the law, go to: http://dairyalliance.psu.edu/hr/hispanic/