Dr. Vera Bitsch, Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Management Associate Professor Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics Michigan State University 306 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 bitsch@msu.edu Faculty Webpage

Personnel management resources in agriculture for extension, consultants, agricultural employers, employees and academia. The purpose of the website is to serve the people in Michigan and anyone interested in human resource management.

News People at Work Labor Law Compliance

News

• Read my most recent newsletter “Civil Rights and the Hiring Process”; list of available newsletters “Agricultural Labor Issues in Michigan”
• Agricultural Employer Checklist 2007 available
• MSU Extension Bulletin E2966 Labor Laws and Michigan Agriculture available (order printed copies here)
• New MI Driver’s License requirements in effect January 22, 2008
• New Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) posted; Spanish version available (only to be used in Puerto Rico)
• Temporary injunction issued on October 10, 2007 against the implementation of Department of Homeland Security’s final rule regarding "no-match" letters from Social Security Administration (more information on the lawsuit)
• Michigan Minimum Wage did increase July 1, 2007 to $7.15
• Federal Minimum Wage did increase July 24, 2007
• 2008 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for H-2A workers set at $10.01 for Michigan
• From Raids to Deportation: Community Resource Kit by the National Immigration Project; also Michigan phone numbers for family members of detained immigrants (by Farmworker Legal Services of Michigan)
• Community agencies in Michigan assisting immigrants with immigration services, legal assistance, or general community services (by Farmworker Legal Services of Michigan, April 2007)
• Employee or independent contractor? IRS posts updated guidelines in Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide (Publication 15A-1/2007)
• A Guide for Farmers, Growers and Crew Leaders. Social Security Administration booklet in English and Spanish explains how to report employees’ income and farmers’ income to Social Security
• Individuals ineligible to conduct any Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) activity as defined under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA); for verification of FLC registration call 1-866-487-9243.
• The Guide to Labor and Employment Laws for Migrant Workers in the U.S. has been developed by the Commission for Labor Cooperation and is available for free download.

People at Work in Agriculture

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Vera’s Articles	Selected Scientific Publications Selected Extension and Trade Journal Publications Frequently Requested Presentations
Statistical Information	National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 2001-2 data describe the demographic and employment profile of U.S. farm workers; according to the NAWS, 53 percent of the hired crop labor force lacked work authorization, down from 55 percent in 1999-2000 USDA: Agricultural Labor Information Statistics and economic information on agricultural labor, including legislation and immigration issues
Favorite Links	Agricultural Personnel Management Program Site temporarily closed due to virus attack (April 2008) HRM site by Howard Rosenberg, University of California, including farm employment, management, related regulatory issues, and news Agricultural Labor Management HRM site by Gregorio Billikopf, University of California, including the textbook “Labor Management in Ag,” extension articles, and links to other labor sites
More Links	HRM in Agriculture Sites General HRM Sites
Course “Labor and Personnel Management in Agri-Food” (ABM-337)	Course materials will be available for enrolled students through the ANGEL Course Management System

Labor Law Compliance

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Tips and Hints

Materials by MSU Extension, including: Agricultural Employer Checklist (2 pages), updated September 2007 Labor laws and Michigan agriculture (12 pages), MSUE Bulletin E2966, revised June 2006. List of available newsletters “Agricultural Labor Issues in Michigan” Links to MSUE, Telfarm, and MAES Michigan Farm Bureau Provides information on diverse farming issues; Regulatory Compliance Assistance Program (RCAP)

Links to Information & Compliance Sites

MAAHS Mid American Ag and Hort Services—includes Ag/Hort safety and employment law compliance Michigan GOV Information and Compliance Sites Federal GOV Information and Compliance Sites

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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Last updated April 28, 2008.

Copyright 2001-8 by Vera Bitsch. Please understand that the materials offered do not constitute legal advice or an endorsement of sites and materials linked.