University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and University of Maryland to Host Free H-2A Farm Labor Workshop in Mid-Atlantic Region

Farm workers in field picking produce. Image is by JackF from Adobe Stock Photos

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The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, the University of Maryland Extension (UME), and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host a series of free one-day workshops titled “Exploring H-2A Farm Labor in the Mid-Atlantic Region” in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey.  Details on dates and locations below.  The workshop will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with check-in beginning at 9:30 a.m.

This workshop is designed to help Mid-Atlantic agricultural employers better understand the costs, legal requirements, and compliance responsibilities associated with using the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. As farms increasingly rely on seasonal labor, this program provides essential guidance to help producers make informed labor management decisions.

Featured speakers include:

• Nate Bruce, University of Delaware, presenting on “The Real Cost of H-2A Workers.”

• Brandon Davis, Phelps Dunbar LLP, and Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland, are discussing the legal aspects of the H-2A process.

• Representatives from the State Department of Labor, covering key state-level considerations and compliance expectations.

“Producers continue to navigate the complexities of agricultural labor, and the H-2A program is an important, yet often misunderstood, tool,” said Paul Goeringer, Principal Faculty Specialist and Extension legal specialist. “This workshop provides farmers with the financial, legal, and regulatory information they need to determine whether H-2A is the right fit for their operation.”

Lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost to participants, but advance registration is required. To register, contact Karen Adams at adams@udel.edu or 302-831-3328.

Workshops will be held on:

• Feb. 2, 2026, Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302,

• Feb. 3, 2026, Carvel Research and Education Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, Delaware 19947,

• Feb. 4, 2026, Central Md Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 671, Ellicott City, MD 21042, and

• Feb. 5, 2026, Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center, 4200 Gardiner Rd, Waldorf, MD 20601

This program is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Accessibility & Equal Opportunity Statement

This event is provided jointly by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and University of Maryland Extension—both land-grant institutions and equal opportunity providers. If you need special accommodations to participate, please contact the hosting office at least two weeks prior to the event.