Labor Roadshow 2026

Labor Roadshow is your opportunity to learn about the latest workforce issues affecting New York agriculture and to get farm employers from your region in the room. As usual, CCE educators can attend the Labor Roadshow for free. See details at our Labor Roadshow site, and at the Ag Workforce Development Council’s event site. 

The Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State (AWDC) will celebrate a decade of connecting and educating agricultural professionals when Labor Roadshow X returns this December with five in-person events and two webinars across New York State. Programming details and speaker information are now available.

Topics for this year’s programming include:

• H-2A: Overview for Employers Considering the Program, Housing Requirements, Legislative Updates, and Practical Participation Tips from H-2A Agents and Employers
• Compliance Updates from New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL)
• Unionization
• Employee Engagement and Improving Culture
• NYSDOL Enforcement Tips
• Employee Handbooks

In-Person Events (8:30 AM–4:30 PM ET)

• December 7 — Walden, NY
• December 9 — Malone, NY
• December 15 — Batavia, NY
• December 16 — Geneva, NY
• December 17 — Rome, NY

Presenters

Jay Canzonier — Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
Presenting: H-2A Housing Inspection Insights

Mary Slattery — Director of the Division of Compliance & Education (DOCE), NYS Department of Labor
Presenting: NYSDOL Compliance Update

Tom Bortnyk — másLabor
Presenting: Practical H-2A Participation Tips

Richard Stup and Lucas Smith — Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
Presenting: Unions 101: An Interactive Training Session

Mike Paglialonga — Littler Mendelson P.C.
Presenting: NYSDOL Enforcement Tips

Kaitlyn Lutz — Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
Presenting: Feedback Drives Results, so Let’s Get Moving!

A Panel Discussion with H-2A Employers
Employers from all commodity groups will come together and share their experiences with the H-2A program. From those handling the entire H-2A process themselves to those enlisting the help of a trusted agent, attendees will hear directly from employers about the realities of participating in the program and tips for making it work for employees and employers.

Virtual Events (1:00–3:00 PM ET)

• November 30 — Kickoff Webinar
• December 21 — Closing Webinar

Presenters

Richard Stup and Lucas Smith — Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
Presenting: Employee Handbooks 101

Lynn Jacquez — JPH Law Firm LLP
Presenting: An Intro and Background on H-2A for Year-Round Employers and Other New Users

John Hollay — National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE)
Presenting: H-2A & Washington Legislative Update for Farm Employers

Joshua Viau — Fisher Phillips LLP
Presenting: Union Litigation Update for New York Employers

More information can be found on the event website

REGISTER NOW!

Registration is now open for this event. The cost is $80 per person. Checks and online payment are accepted after confirmation of registration. Payment is not available at the time of registration. Once your registration is confirmed, you will be notified of payment options and next steps.

Each registration includes onsite programming for one event date, coffee, refreshments, lunch, and access to both webinars. Virtual-only registration is also available and includes access to the Kickoff and Closing Webinars, as well as a recording of the programming.

Learn more and register here: https://www.eventleaf.com/e/LRS.

The event is hosted by the Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State, a collaboration of farms and agricultural organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities for employees and employers. AWDC works to strengthen agriculture by fostering collaboration and equipping employers with resources to build a skilled and sustainable agricultural workforce.

About the Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State

The Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State is a collaboration of farms and agricultural organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities for employees and employers. AWDC works to strengthen New York agriculture by fostering collaboration and equipping employers with resources to build a skilled, sustainable agricultural workforce.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact cu-agworkforce [at] cornell.edu (cu-agworkforce[at]cornell[dot]edu) for sponsorship information.

About the Labor Roadshow

The Labor Roadshow is an annual agricultural workforce education event hosted by the Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State. Through in-person and virtual programming, the Roadshow brings agricultural professionals together with experts to address critical labor and workforce issues and share practical strategies for building stronger agricultural workplaces.