COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University Extension's Ag and Hort Labor Education Program and Mid American Ag and Hort Services (MAAHS) are sponsoring a series of workshops this winter for those who own, operate or are considering the development of temporary labor camps for agricultural and food processing workers.
The free workshops are designed to help camp operators comply with applicable local, state and federal regulations while providing a benefit that improves worker recruiting and retention efforts.
"We are excited to provide this opportunity for Ohio growers to better understand the various local, state and federal requirements of operating a temporary labor camp," said Francisco Espinoza, program assistant with OSU Extension's Ag and Hort Labor Education Program. "Ohio has a good reputation of providing housing for migrant and temporary workers and we hope to make that even better."
The workshops will be held:
• Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Fremont One Stop, Fremont.
• Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Midwest Livestock and Expo Center, Springfield.
• Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. OARDC Fisher Auditorium, Wooster.
• Dec. 14, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Ohio State University Meigs County Extension Office, Pomeroy.
New labor camp manuals will be distributed at the meetings. An online version of the manual will be available by mid-November at http://www.midamservices.org by clicking on "Quick Ref" and then "Checklists."
"The workshops provide an excellent opportunity for camp operators to interact with state and federal camp inspectors away from the point of inspection," said John Wargowsky, executive director of MAAHS.
Other partners in this educational effort include the Ohio Fruit Growers Society, Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association.
For more information about attending a free workshop or obtaining a free labor camp manual contact MAAHS at (614) 246-8286, e-mail maahs@ofbf.org or visit http://www.midamservices.org and click on "events."