Farm Labor Requirements
There are a number of resources to support farmers and ranchers in hiring and managing labor and staff and complying with state labor codes. In most cases these codes and labor requirements are long standing regulations to ensure that the employer/employee relationship is beneficial to both parties. These are stipulated in Industrial Welfare Commission Orders for:
A useful resource and support service for complying with these is the Farm Employer’s Labor Service or FELS. Their support and service includes checklists, employee bulletin board materials and confidential farm workplace audits. A good place to start is their checklist of key employment requirements. Also available is direction for preparation and management of inspections from Department of Labor and other regulatory agencies.
Additional resources for working with farm employees include:
- FACTSHEET - Establishing Ag Worker Housing on Your Ranch
- Employment Requirements for CA Farms – UCCE Marin Workshop
- Small Farm Labor Law and Practices – CA FarmLink
- Small Farm Labor Resources – FarmCommons
- Innovative Models for Farm Employees, Interns, Apprentices – CASFS Manual
- Labor Readiness Assessment (University of Vermont Cooperative Extension)
- UC Ag Labor Management website
- Ergonomics for Farm Workers (CDC Resource Guide)
- Farm Labor Poster Generator (US Department of Labor)
- Farm Labor Poster List (CA Department of Labor Relations)
Potential legal avenues for developing apprenticeship and farmer training programs include:
- California Employment Training Panel
- California Department of Industrial Relations Apprenticeship Programs
