By Chase Jordan

[email protected]

Registration is underway for a free educational workshop for farm labor contractors and crew leaders in Sampson County.

The workshop, which will be conducted entirely in Spanish, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 104 E. John St., Clinton. It’s being hosted by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, N.C. Cooperative Extension and other federal agencies. The purpose is to provide information regarding laws and regulations.

Luis Cruz, a farmworkers health and safety educator for the Wayne County Center of Cooperative Extension, said Sampson County was selected for being the largest county in the state, which comes with having a lot of crew leaders for agriculture production. The class will educate crew leaders who, Cruz described as the middle man between the farm workers and the farmers. Unfortunately, a lot of crew leaders are unaware of the laws and regulations.

“With collaboration with our state and federal agencies, we’re happy to bring this to Sampson County,” Cruz said. “It can help assist and improve the quality of life of the farm community. If the crew leaders and the farm labor contractors know the laws, they can it also share it with their farm workers.”

During the meeting, topics scheduled to be discussed include migrant housing in North Carolina; field sanitation standards; the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act; farm labor contractor and farm labor contractor employees registrations; H2a program requirements; and penalties that will be assessed if violations are found.

Cruz stressed how a lot of farmers depend on crew leaders and field workers to put crops such as sweet potatoes, cucumbers, watermelons and blueberries on the market. He believes the workshop will provide valuable information regarding the business between the individuals.

“We hope to expand this around the state,” Cruz said. “North Carolina Cooperative extension has always been committed to assist the agriculture community.”

Cruz will be presenting in Spanish with Francisca Rios of the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“Most crew workers in North Carolina are Spanish speaking and this is the first time we’re doing this in a Spanish format,” he said. “This will benefit the agriculture community and this is something big because there’s a lot of agriculture. Sampson County thrives on agriculture.”

“We will always depend on labor help,” he said. “For that to happen, we need to be aware of current laws and regulations.”

Space for the workshop is limited. To register or for more information, call 919-208-0411 and ask for Francisca.

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

Event to help Spanish speaking labor contractors

By Chase Jordan

[email protected]

North Carolina Cooperative Extension and other agencies will host a farm workshop for contractors.
(Courtesy photo)
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Contractor-Workshop.jpgNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension and other agencies will host a farm workshop for contractors.
(Courtesy photo)