A series of safety courses and workshops for agriculture and related industries are organized to address regulation, current issues, and business practices for the labor force and employers. Topics include labor laws, human resources, pesticide application, CPR and First Aid, forklift and other vehicle operations, farm manager training, electrical safety, etc. Courses are conducted in English and Spanish and are held at Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Custom, onsite training is also available. Reservations are required for all trainings. To share business information, sponsorship participation is welcome. Nationwide Insurance is a valued sponsor of the Training Program.
Current Courses
February 2: CalSavers Sign-Up Deadline Coming Soon: Are You Ready?
February 7 & 14: What’s New in 2022?
February 22: Pumping Efficiency and Energy Savings
February 23: Industrial & Rough Terrain Forklift Training (3-year certification)
CalSavers Sign-Up Deadline Coming Soon: Are You Ready?
CalSavers, California’s mandatory employee opt-out retirement savings program is gradually being applied to smaller and smaller employers; in June 2020, employees of 5 or more employees will be mandated to register with CalSavers if they are not already furnishing their employees with an IRS tax-favored retirement savings option. Jonathan Herrera, Outreach & Marketing Manager for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program will brief attendees on the CalSavers program, employer registration, and employer responsibilities. Paul Yossem, Regional Vice President Private Sector Retirement Plans for California Farm Bureau Premier Partner Nationwide, will inform attendees about the California Farm Bureau’s Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), partnering with Nationwide to exclusively offer to CAFB agricultural members.
What’s New in 2022?
2022 brings new requirements for California agricultural employers. What do you need to know to be in compliance? FELS Chief Operating Officer Bryan Little will brief you on important legislative actions taken by the California Legislature in 2021 impact ag employers. Carl Borden of California Farm Bureau’s Legal Affairs Division will review changes in the California minimum wage and overtime requirements for ag employees that will become effective for employers of 25 or fewer employees in 2022. Paul Yossem of Nationwide (invited) will inform you of the upcoming June 2022 deadline to enroll your business with the CalSavers employee retirement savings program and an alternative offered by Nationwide for Farm Bureau members. Last, Seth Merhten of Farm Employers Labor Service Group Legal Services Program partner Barsamian & Moody will walk you the ever-evolving Cal/OSHA ETS and changes that will become effective in January 2022.
Food Safety Training Partnership Announces February On-Line FSMA Trainings
This Food Safety Training course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. This course will take place over 2 half-day sessions.
Join Sonoma County Farm Bureau, PG&E and industry leaders in pumping efficiency for a collaborative in-person seminar for farm owners, growers, ranch managers and irrigation specialists. This seminar delivers timely information on pumping efficiency, pump energy management, advanced VFD control and PG&E AG energy programs. The event includes continental breakfast, Farm Bureau introduction, and three speakers.
Farm Bureau Extension, a new program offered by California Farm Bureau, is offering a continuing education series of classes held virtually. These classes are free to all Farm Bureau members. Topics for the 2022 series will be announced soon.To register, go to https://cvent.me/4xdbBd?RefId=Counties, or call the Sonoma County Farm Bureau office 707-544-5575. To register you will need your full Sonoma County Farm Bureau membership number.
Completed Courses
Ag Business Compliance Series: Labor Trend Report & Immigration
Forklift 3-Year Certification Training Industrial and Rough Terrain
Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP)
Sexual Harassment Avoidance in the Workplace for Supervisors
Agricultural Supervisor/Foreman Management Training
