View all AgWorks agricultural law programs on the Center’s
AgWorks Homepage

Materials: 

• PowerPoint: AgWorks 2. Legal Authority to Work and Pre-Employment Screening
• Recording: AgWorks 2. Legal Authority to Work and Pre-Employment Screening

On October 28, 2025, from 12 noon–2:00 pm ET, the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside Penn State Extension and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry through funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, will present the second agricultural law webinar in the AgWorks program:

Webinar No. 2. Legal Authority to Work and Pre-Employment Screening

Hiring employees comes with critical legal responsibilities, and compliance is essential from the start. This webinar will guide farm and agribusiness employers through completing the I-9 Form for Employment Eligibility Verification as required by federal law.

This webinar will also cover the legal ins and outs of several other pre-employment screening processes that are not required by law but which employers may have reason to include in their hiring process, such as background and credit checks and drug testing. An optional second hour will allow participants to ask legal questions and share real-world examples for discussion with the attorneys.

Funding for this Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and Pennsylvania CareerLink®. This project is funded 100% with federal funds from a U.S. Department of Labor grant totaling $1,325,699.00 and 0% ($0.00) non-federal funds. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. This is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. For more information, visit AgWorks.

To help track grant reach and eligibility, participants will be asked questions about their farm or agribusiness during registration. Responses will remain confidential and will not be shared outside the project team.

Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.

Please note: The Ag Law Center provides educational support and resources only and does not offer legal representation.
Attorney CLE is NOT available for this program.

AgWorks: Connecting Agricultural Businesses to Workforce Services and Training

Project Background

From 2025 to 2027, Penn State Extension and the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will collaborate with farms and agriculture-related businesses to strengthen the workforce system. This initiative aims to support employers, expand opportunities for workers, and enhance employment conditions throughout the agricultural sector.

Workforce Help for Farms and Agribusinesses

AgWorks will provide 100 registered small- to medium-sized Pennsylvania farms and agribusinesses with no-cost training and consultation in the following areas to ensure business sustainability:

• Hiring and Retention
• Business Operations
• Compensation and Benefits
• Legal Counseling *
• Health and Safety
• PA CareerLink® services to help farms and Agribusinesses

Additional resources may be available to those who register and consult with their Workforce Consultant.

Webinars and Private Consultation

Over the next two years, we will offer over 90 webinars that will be recorded and available to those participating. The webinars are open to participating organizations and their employees.

Registered participants can also speak with their workforce consultants to utilize tailored consulting and other services that fit their professional needs.

Register for the AgWorks Program

To participate in the AgWorks program, complete the intake form, which includes a brief survey that will help us understand the challenges that businesses face.

Intake and Survey Link

For more information about the program, contact agworks@psu.edu.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s training and services, visit their website.