Navigating federal laws on farm labor

Federal laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act have been a hot topic in recent months, as farmers around New England have been facing increased enforcement of labor regulations.  Several local farms have faced heavy fines for inadvertent violations to these laws, sparking debate about the details of these laws and how they are being interpreted.  Patti Colarossi and Christopher Mills of the U.S. Dept. of Labor will tease apart some of the nuances of these laws and explain how they are being enforced by the Dept. of Labor.  In particular, they will explain where the line is currently drawn between types of farm work that are and aren’t exempt from the laws’ provisions.  The session will also touch upon work being done by the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic to evaluate whether the current interpretation of these laws is appropriate and consistent with their intent.

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This is the fourth workshop of a six-workshop series on farm labor management, beginning 1/29/14 and ending 3/13/14. Click here to see the other upcoming workshops in this series. The series will help farmers understand the legal framework and financial implications of farm labor choices, and improve labor management strategies to build a stronger and more productive farm crew. Additional one-on-one support will be available to those who attend at least three workshops including the first session. Dinner will be served at each session. Cost to attend the series is $55 for Local Hero Members, or $12 each for individual workshops. The non-member fee is $75 for the series, or $15 each for individual workshops. Contact Kristen at 413-665-7100 x12 for more information or to register, or register below.