Attend the 2025 Becker Forum on Wednesday, 2/5, in Geneva

The New York State Vegetable Growers Association (NYSVGA) is pleased to announce the 2025 Becker Forum, a key event for agriculture professionals, will be held on Wednesday, February 5, at Cornell AgriTech, Jordan Hall, in Geneva. This year’s forum will focus on crucial topics for farm operators, including H-2A visa fundamentals, immigration enforcement, and heat safety in agriculture.

The Becker Forum, an annual gathering of growers, farm managers, and industry experts, offers a comprehensive program tailored to address the most pressing challenges facing the agricultural community today. The day will feature a series of informative sessions designed to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate these complex issues successfully.

Program Highlights:

• H-2A Fundamentals: How to Use H-2A On A Dairy or Crop Farm
  Learn how the H-2A program can support both dairy and crop operations by bringing in seasonal foreign labor. Experts will walk through the processes, benefits, and challenges involved.

• Producer Perspectives on H-2A
  Hear directly from agricultural producers who have successfully utilized the H-2A program, offering valuable insights into real-world applications and challenges.

• I-9 and Immigration Enforcement
  Understand the latest updates on I-9 compliance and immigration enforcement, ensuring your farm is adhering to all federal regulations.

• Washington Policy Update
  A comprehensive briefing on current and upcoming legislative changes that may impact agriculture, labor, and immigration policies.

• H-2A Tax Preparation
  Learn about the tax implications and best practices for managing H-2A wages and related costs.

• Heat Safety in Agriculture
  Discuss strategies for keeping workers safe in extreme heat conditions, a critical issue for those working in outdoor agricultural environments.

• Union Update by Grow NY Farms
  Stay informed on the latest union activities and labor issues in the New York State agricultural industry.

Schedule:

• 8:30 AM – Check-in opens

• 8:50 AM – Program begins

• 4:30 PM – Program concludes

The Becker Forum provides a unique opportunity for networking, professional development, and staying up to date with the latest industry trends and regulations. This event is a must-attend for anyone involved in farm management, labor, or agriculture policy.

Registration:
ADVANCED REGISTRATION
$90/person

WALK-INS
$120/person

For more information and to register for the event, please visit nysvga.org/expo/information.

Contact:
For inquiries, please contact the NYS Veg Growers Association at nysvegetablegrowers@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Becker Forum at Cornell AgriTech!

Events You Need to Attend This Winter

A note from NYSBGA Executive Secretary Jim Bittner, on events you should attend this winter.

If you’ve got employees, you need to take part in the Becker Forum

If you have employees, plan to attend the Becker Forum in Syracuse on February 8. We have at least 8 farms in NYS that have petitions before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) that will require their workers to be represented by a union. Don’t think this cannot happen to you. The group includes large and small farms, H2A and domestic workers, from Long Island to Western NY. Wineries, fruit, vegetable, and nursery operations are all part of the petitions. The two attorneys that are representing most of the farms will be presenting at the Becker Forum. Someone from PERB should be there, too. You need to be at this meeting to learn how to protect your farm and employees.

The Becker Forum will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Oncenter Syracuse. Register here.

Help us lobby for important funding

On February 15, the board of directors of the NYBGA plans on spending the day meeting with state legislators and lobbying for state funding for berry research and extension programs in NYS. This is a very unique and eye-opening experience. Please consider joining us; you do not need to be a board member to help. If you’re available to take part for a few hours, contact me: 716-778-7330, jim@singerfarms.com.

Another important upcoming event is the NY Farm Bureau lobby day in Albany. On the evening of February 27, there will be a reception that attended by a lot of NYS legislators and their staff. It will also include tastings of NY-grown food, and good conversation. 

The next day, February 28, Farm Bureau members will be visiting with legislators and their  staff in their offices.  I strongly suggest you reach out to your county farm bureau and offer to help represent NYS agriculture at these two events.