From 2025 to 2027, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will join Penn State Extension, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry through funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, to deliver the AgWorks program, a new initiative supporting farms and agricultural businesses. AgWorks is focused on strengthening the agricultural workforce by offering support to employers, expanding opportunities for workers, and enhancing employment conditions throughout the agricultural sector.

As part of the AgWorks program, the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will provide legal consulting and present 20+ employment law programs.

This project is funded 100% with federal funds from a US 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. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s website for more information about training and services.

Register for the AgWorks Program

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

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

Intake and Survey Link

Upcoming AgWorks Webinars from the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law

AgWorks #6. Wage and Hour Laws—Calculation & Enforcement
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, noon–2:00 pm ET (REGISTER with Penn State Extension)

  • How much agricultural employees must be paid under various settings and payment arrangements
  • How employers must determine hours worked
  • Potential consequences to employers for failing to abide by hour and wage requirements

AgWorks #7. Special Laws for Seasonal or Temporary Workers
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm ET (REGISTER with Penn State Extension)

  • Identify key provisions of the Pennsylvania Seasonal Farm Labor Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
  • Explain how Pennsylvania and federal agricultural labor laws interact
  • Describe wage and hour requirements for seasonal and temporary farmworkers
  • Summarize employer-provided housing permitting, inspection, and transportation standards
  • Recognize employer and farm labor contractor compliance responsibilities
  • Apply applicable labor laws to common agricultural workplace scenarios

AgWorks #8. Overview of H2A & H2B Non-Immigrant Visa Programs
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, noon–2:00 pm ET (Registration available soon with Penn State Extension)

  • The difference between the H-2A and H-2B visa programs
  • Which types of jobs apply to each visa
  • Employer requirements under the H-2A and H-2B programs
  • How the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) is calculated

AgWorks #9. Applying for the H2A & H2B Visa Programs
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, noon–2:00 pm ET (Registration available soon with Penn State Extension)

  • Application steps for H-2A and H-2B visas
  • Employer requirements before and after visa application
  • The federal and state agencies involved H-2A and H-2B visa programs

Previous AgWorks Webinars from the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law

AgWorks #1. Foundations of the Employer–Employee Relationship (9/30/25)

  • Definitions & Classifications
  • At Will and Employment Contracts
  • Master/servant, agency and vicarious liability
  • W-2s & 1099s

AgWorks #2. Legal Authority to Work and Pre-Employment Screening (10/28/25)

  • I-9s
  • Optional “suitability” testing/determinations – Pre-employment physicals, drug screening, credit checks, criminal background checks

AgWorks #3. I-9 and ICE Raids—Protecting Your Business (11/18/25)

  • USCIS generally
  • I-9 Audits
  • ICE Raids

AgWorks #4. Staying Compliant with Anti-Discrimination Laws (12/16/25)

  • EEO, ADA, whistle blower protections, etc.
  • Enforcement entities and mechanisms

AgWorks #5. Wage and Hour Laws—Requirements & Exemptions (1/21/26)

  • Federal & PA wage and hour laws applicable to agricultural employers
  • “Agricultural work” under the Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Activities exempt from wage and hour laws

View all AgWorks Webinars & Workshops with Penn State Extension