Webinar Archives - Legal Food Hub

Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: salario mínimo, horas extras y descansos

A veces, los fundamentos jurídicos pueden ser más complicados de lo que pensamos, y esto es especialmente cierto cuando se trata de la legislación laboral agrícola. Este vídeo explica cuándo y cómo se aplican a las explotaciones agrícolas leyes laborales como el salario mínimo, las horas extraordinarias y los descansos. Cubrimos las leyes federales y estatales específicas del noreste de una manera que ayuda a los propietarios y trabajadores agrícolas a seguir adelante.

Esta serie es presentada por la Cohorte Legal Cultivemos. Cultivemos, (anteriormente conocido como FRSAN-NE, la Red de Asistencia para el Estrés en Granjas y Ranchos del Noreste) tiene como objetivo mejorar la conciencia de la salud conductual, la alfabetización, el acceso y los resultados para los agricultores, ganaderos y trabajadores agrícolas en el noreste mediante el desarrollo de una red de proveedores de servicios que pueden ayudar y satisfacer las necesidades únicas de los trabajadores agrícolas.

Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Conceptos básicos del programa de visas H-2A

El programa de visados H-2A permite a los agricultores traer a ciudadanos de otros países para realizar trabajos agrícolas en Estados Unidos. Este vídeo ayudará a los agricultores a evaluar si el visado H-2A puede ser adecuado para sus explotaciones. Examinamos la finalidad del programa y sus obligaciones legales. Teniendo en cuenta que el tráfico de seres humanos también va en aumento, abordaremos las principales formas en que los productores pueden protegerse contra la vulnerabilidad de los trabajadores en este programa.

Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Reglas y regulaciones de viviendas en las fincas

Muchas granjas ofrecen alojamiento en la explotación como forma de mejorar la calidad de vida de los trabajadores y proporcionarles una compensación adicional. Existen detalladas normativas federales, estatales y locales para garantizar que el alojamiento en las granjas sea seguro y justo. Conozca los aspectos básicos de estas normas con este vídeo.

Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Fudamentos de la compensación para trabajadores

Las indemnizaciones por accidentes laborales y el seguro de desempleo pueden ser complicados para las empresas agrícolas, ya que las excepciones detalladas para la mano de obra agrícola complican las normas. Explore las normas específicas de los estados del noreste en torno a estas dos áreas legales. No se pierda la opción directa para minimizar la confusión, así como las pistas sobre dónde encontrar más información.

H2A Visa Program Basics

The H-2A visa program makes it possible for farmers to bring in citizens of other countries for agricultural work in the United States. This video will help farmers assess whether H-2A might be a good fit with their operations. We consider the program’s purpose and legal obligations. With human trafficking also on the rise, we’ll address key ways producers can guard against worker vulnerability in this program.

This series is presented by the Cultivemos Legal Cohort. Cultivemos, (formerly known as FRSAN-NE, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast) aims to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the Northeast by developing a service provider network that can assist and meet the unique needs of agricultural workers.

On-Farm Housing Rules and Regulations

Many farms offer on-farm housing as a way of improving worker quality of life and provide additional compensation. Detailed federal, state, and local regulations are in place to make sure farm housing is safe and fair. Learn the basics of these rules with this video.

Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance for Farmers

Workers compensation and unemployment insurance can be tricky for farm businesses, as detailed exceptions for farm labor complicate the rules. Explore the state specific rules for Northeastern states around these two legal areas. Don’t miss the straightforward option to minimize the confusion, as well as leads on where to find more information.

Minimum Wage, Overtime, and Breaks for Farmers

Sometimes, legal basics can be more complicated than we think, and this is especially true when it comes to farm employment law. This video outlines when and how employment laws such as minimum wage, overtime, and rest breaks apply to farm businesses. We cover federal and Northeast-specific state laws in a way that helps farm owners and workers move forward.

Employment Law for Massachusetts Farmers

What should farms in Massachusetts consider when hiring employees? What are the rules of the road for agricultural workers in the Commonwealth. These two webinars from 2018 and 2024 cover key information for complying with Massachusetts employment law. Both webinars cover worker classification, overtime, agricultural labor exceptions, minimum wages (note that the amounts changed from 2018 to 2024), and comparing Massachusetts and federal employment laws, and how to know which applies.

Attorney Beth O’Neal of Conn Kavanaugh also covers the following in her 2018 presentation:

Consequences of employee misclassification
2018 federal unpaid intern guidance

WATCH

Attorney Sean Fontes of Partridge Snow & Hahn also covers the following in his 2024 presentation:

A deeper dive into agricultural labor
Leave and sick time
Unemployment insurance
Paying minors
2024 federal independent contractor classification rule

Easements

Easements on a piece of property significantly influence how land can be used. Attorney Andrew Marchev and Third-Year Law Student Clinician Veronica Gassert of Three Rivers Law present the different types of easements and common conditions found in each.

Introduction to Cooperatives

Cooperatives as a business structure help maximize resources and distribute profits equally among members. They can also foster a strong community since members work and vote alongside each other. This webinar, presented by attorney Erika Dunyak of Vermont Law and Graduate School, reviews the different types of cooperatives and what to consider before filing.

Cooperatives Presentation Slides Download

Branding Best Practices

As a small business owner, you want to develop and protect your brand, but you don’t yet have the funds to file for trademark protection. In this webinar, Attorney Christina Licursi of Wolf Greenfield covers steps you can take to have some level of protection from the beginning as well as when to take the plunge and file for protection.

Selling Value-Added Products on the Farm

If you are a farmer interested in opening a farmstand on your property, this webinar will teach you about key federal, state and local regulations that impact small food producers who seek to make and sell value-added products from home. We will cover what’s allowed when selling meat, eggs, dairy, cottage foods such as pickles and baked goods, and more, and explore the legal solutions that can help these businesses grow and thrive.

Presenter: Legal Services Specialist, Christine Dzujna, of Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

Onboarding New Employees

Congratulations! Your small business is ready to hire your first employees. This is both an exciting and daunting process. Luckily, we have Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur Portland, Maine who will walk you through this process. They will cover common legal traps for the hiring manager in the hiring and interview process, she will provide a checklist of best practices, and recommended documentation for your new employees.

Presenters: Attorneys Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur

Media and Marketing 101

As a small business, you are likely using emails, text, and social media to advertise your business and communicate with your customers. You may also have your own webpage spotlighting customer reviews and other content. With all these forms of social media and communication comes a web of laws that are difficult to navigate. During this webinar, a team of attorneys from Bernstein Shur will help you detangle these laws. We will cover topics such as email, text, and social media marketing, claim substantiation, website policies, the proper use of logos and other copyrighted material, endorsements, testimonials, and customer reviews, and other hot topics in advertising law.

Presenters: Attorneys Elliot Brake, Kevan Lee Deckelmann, Chad W. Higgins, Matthew J. Saldaña

Hosting a Food Focused Event: The Legal Side of a Delicious Activity

Hosting an event with food on your farm is a great way to gather your community, educate the public about farming, and grow your business. Watch this webinar to learn about next steps to safely and legally offer samples, host a tasting, farm to table meal, or other event with food on your farm. During the session you will hear from Corie Pierce, owner of Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont and regular host of burger nights. You will also hear from Andrew Marchev, Legal Fellow at the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems and Lisa Chase, Agritourism Expert at University of Vermont Extension.

Presenters: Corie Pierce, Bread and Butter Farm Vermont, Dr. Lisa Chase, University of Vermont, Attorney Andrew Marchev, Fellow at Vermont Law School

Laws of the Land: What to Know About Your Farm BEFORE You Commit

You’ve heard the phrase ‘location, location, location’ when it comes to choosing a home. It’s no different for farmers when choosing a site for their farm business. All sites come with unique conditions that impact the farm’s viability, including physical characteristics, zoning restrictions, federal and state permitting requirements, and pre-existing third-party rights of neighbors, landlords, tenants, easement holders, or lenders. This webinar will cover the who, what, how, where, and most importantly, why, of identifying the unique characteristics and regulatory requirements tied to your future farm property before you sign on the dotted line.

Presenters: Attorneys Laura Hartz and Stacey Caulk of Drummond Woodsum

Your Legal Toolkit for Starting a Farm

When you’re starting a farm business, there are lots of important legal issues to consider, from what type of business entity you’ll form to how to protect yourself from liability and plan for the future. This comprehensive webinar will equip farmers with the legal know-how to tackle these key decisions and start off on a strong legal footing.

Employment Law for Maine Farmers

Navigating employment laws on your farm can be a challenging task. This webinar will help Maine farmers understand how to handle various workers on your farm, including WOOFers, volunteers, and CSA workers.

Presenter: Tom Trenholm, Drummond Woodsum.

Elements of a Farmland Lease

When a farmer works with a landowner to put together a farmland lease, there are many important considerations. This webinar will inform farmers and nonprofit farm organizations about the key elements that should be in a farmland lease.

Presenter: Jeff Polubinski, Gravel & Shea.

Starting your Farm or Food Business: Succession Planning

When you’re forming your LLC or other business entity, it is important to plan for the future. This webinar will prepare you with key questions to consider about succession planning when forming your business.

Presenter: Kim Memmesheimer, Hoefle, Phoenix, Gormley & Roberts, PLLC.

Options for Forming a Social Enterprise

As a farmer or food entrepreneur, you may want to create a successful business while also working for social good. In a social enterprise, these goals go hand-in-hand. In this webinar, we’ll discuss the details of a social enterprise. And, we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of common business structures that can be the foundation for your social enterprise (sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, co-ops, and non-profits).

Presenters: Colin Antaya, Esq. and Kohei Ishihara Founder of Movement Ground Farm

Opening Your Farm to Visitors and Controlling for Liability

From farm dinners to CSA pick-ups, and from Airbnb to educational programs, you might open your farm to friends, neighbors, and even tourists. As you welcome visitors to your farm, you need to be ready to handle the myriad of risks that they bring with them. Join us to receive practical advice from an agritourism expert, an insurance agent, and an attorney. Each will provide you with tools to prepare for the worst and enjoy the best.

Presenters: Attorney Mary Rose Scozzafava; Stuart Farnham, AFIS Vice President of Frazer Insurance Agency, Inc.; Lisa Chase, University of Vermont Agritourism Expert

Hiring Your First Farm Employees

Congratulations! Your farm business has grown, and you are in dire need of hiring some help. Enter employment law – specifically, agricultural employment law. Join our one-hour webinar to learn the general laws that you are required to follow as an agricultural employer. We will cover important pay considerations, how to get employees properly set up, and best practices to avoid discrimination lawsuits. After this session, you will feel confident to make your first hires.

Format: Webinar