Does Your Dairy Operate a Seasonal Farm Labor Camp? Read This Before You Decide!
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.