Agriculture Workforce Development Conference
More than 500 agricultural safety and HR professionals, farm managers and supervisors, labor contractors, and farm owners converged on the Hyatt Regency in Monterey February 20-22, 2024, for ACTIVATE24, hosted by AgSafe.
This is a one-of-akind, annual conference, focused on the industry’s most vital resource, its people. With more than 50 sessions offered in English and Spanish, the conference covered a wide range of critical topics from the fundamentals of health and safety — such as mental workplace health and compliance planning — to regulatory compliance, workforce development, and pesticide handling. Theresa Kiehn, AgSafe President and CEO said, “Special emphasis is given to providing practical information, solutions, resources and professional development for agricultural supervisors, safety and human resources professionals and executives alike. The value for attendees is significant.”
AgSafe, a non-profit membership organization, is the leader in educational training for the agricultural community. AgSafe’s focus is to provide practical education, with a “boots on the ground” approach, teaching both the “why” and “how” to protect workers in the field, as well as packing, processing and food manufacturing facilities. In addition to the main conference program, developed with input from industry professionals, supplemental seminars were offered to Train-the-Trainers in Tractor Safety and Pesticide Handling. Premium tracks were also available for the California Human Resources Certificate Program, California Agricultural Safety Certificate Program, and Supervisor Advancement Seminar. FLC Continuing Education was also available.
Marshal Sewell, who grew up on a fifth-generation fruit and vegetable farm and is the founder of Mind Your Melon (https:// mindyourmelon.org/), provided keynote remarks on the stressors in agricultural communities and on Inspiring Healthier Minds Through Proactive Lifestyles.
Tina Huff, Ph.D., SHRMSCP presented the Plenary Session to help every employee be successful at work – helping companies reach and exceed their goals. She is a former Chief People Officer / Vice President of Human Resources with over 30 years of experience across multiple industries including agriculture, contact centers, food processing, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail/grocery.
Winners of the annual AllWays Safe Agricultural Safety Awards were also unveiled at ACTIVATE24. A collaboration between AgSafe and the Almond Board of California, this award is designed to honor businesses and individuals who have committed themselves to ensuring the safety and health of their workers. Awards were presented in the categories of lifetime achievement, outstanding company, safety professional, and operations/production supervisor.
For more information and to view the list of award winners, visit https://agsafe.org/activate24/.
AgSafe, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, is the educational leader Since 1991 AgSafe has trained over 100,000 employers, supervisors, and farm workers in the most critical issues impacting worker safety, human resources, and pesticide safety.