- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s Agricultural Labor Management website is full or resources designed to facilitate effective labor management in agricultural settings.
From their site:
“There is much that farmers do not have control over, and what they do control, they control through people. How these people are hired, managed and motivated makes a huge difference. Labor management is much more than forms and paperwork. It is more about finding creative new ways of increasing productivity and reducing loss. About 40% to 70% of costs in production agriculture are related to labor costs. Thus, it seems that effective management of these costs plays a vital role in the competitiveness of agricultural producers.”
Resources include free downloadable publications, books and audio. Topics covered include: conflict management, training, interpersonal communication, farm worker perspectives on job related issues, farm safety, and many other related subjects.
Because communication is such an important component in workplace settings, this site also features sections for learning a new language. The languages currently featured on the site are Spanish and English. The lessons can be downloaded are broken down into the following categories:
- Brief strategies for learning another language
- Greetings, polite expressions & praise
- Climate, time, days, numbers
- Farm vocabulary
In addition to the learning a new language section, resources at this site are available in Spanish.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety has recently announced publication of training materials designed to help dairy employers educate their employees on safe workplace practices.
In addition to providing instructions and materials for training sessions, the guide incorporates information about maximizing employee participation in training, preparing for training sessions, and the objectives of the sessions. Cal/OSHA requirements and additional resources are also included.
The Dairy Safety Training Guide and related materials are available to download for free. They are available in English and Spanish.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish, who suffered certain losses in 2010 may be eligible for disaster assistance. In all $8 million in disaster assistance will be available through the USDA’s ELAP program.
A recent quote from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:
“ELAP is an important tool to help producers of America’s livestock, honeybees and farm-raided fish stay in business after they experience significant losses because of natural disasters. A healthy livestock, honeybee and fish industry is vital to America’s food supply and economy.”
More information can be found in English here and in Spanish here. In addition to the online resource, you may visit your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for assistance.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Ventura and Santa Barbara Youth Development Advisor, A. Michael Marzolla has been working with youth through environmental education throughout his career. Recently, one of his youth groups submitted a short video to the Green Shorts Film Festival. Submissions to this environmentally conscious film festival are open to residents of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Mr. Marzolla is excited to announce the group has won a Green Shorts Award for the video "Fighting for Our Environment/Luciando por nuestro ambiente". The cast and crew walked the Green Carpet to collect their award at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara on Thursday, April 14. Click here to view the winning video!
More information about the Agua Pura program and resources available to support environmental education activities can be found here. The Lunchiando Fotonovela can be viewed here.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
On May 5, 2011 from 9 to 11 am, representatives from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will hold a meeting for strawberry growers at the Ventura County Cooperative Extension office.
There will be two simultaneous sessions. One will be in English and the other in Spanish. Both sessions will inform growers of the features and availability of the pilot crop insurance program for strawberries.
From the RMA:
“The program is based on the grower’s own historical crop revenues and protects growers against losses from low yield, low price, or any combination of these events. We will discuss how the program can work for you, requirements, sales closing dates, and how to purchase crop insurance.”
For more information or to RSVP contact Sandy Sanchez or Jessica Klaisner at: (530) 792-5870 or email: sandy.sanchez@rma.usda.gov or Jessica.klaisner@rma.usda.gov.
For those interested in attending, but unable to make the May 5 meeting in Ventura other locations are as follows:
May 4, 2011 from 2 to 4 pm in Santa Maria (English and Spanish)
May 10, 2011 from 2 to 4 pm in Monterey (English)
May 10, 2011 from 9 to 11 am in Watsonville (Spanish)
