Joe Spalding named president of AWMA Inc.

Special to KAN

Joe Spalding of Marion County was elected President of Agriculture Workforce Management Association, Inc. (AWMA) at the July Board of Director's Meeting.
 

"I am honored to take on the role of President of the AWMA," said Spalding.  "I got involved in this organization, because I wanted to see this organization succeed, because it provided an important service to farmers in helping them secure a legal workforce through the H-2A program."
 

Tim Tarter of Pulaski County was elected Vice-President of the AWMA at the July meeting. Others serving on the board are as follows:  Steven Hinton, Breckinridge County; Dale Seay, Christian County; and Mark Turner, McLean County. 
 

AWMA is a "for-profit" corporation made up of preferred and common stockholders.  The common stockholders must be users of the services and those stockholders own 51% of the corporation.  The primary function of AWMA is to provide guidance to its stockholder employers who wish to apply for temporary alien agricultural labor certification for the purpose of employing H-2A workers on a temporary or seasonal basis.
 

"The AWMA was started with the intent of helping struggling tobacco farmers secure a legal workforce through the H-2A program," explained Rick Alexander, Executive Director of the AWMA. "Now it has grown to be the largest processing agent in Kentucky"
 

The AWMA is focused on providing a reliable workforce with the H-2A Visa Program, while also providing technical assistance to all clients in the areas of H-2A Visa regulations. The AWMA staff serves as a liaison between clients and government agencies.
 

The AWMA also provides a voice for the farmers on labor issues and works to educate  agri-businesses on the H Visa Programs.
 

 "As someone who has used H-2A employees for years I know the challenges that come with the application process," said Spalding. "It is important for farmers to have an agency out there that provides the assistance and education needed throughout the process and one that is as farmer friendly as the AWMA,"
 

To learn more about the AWMA and the H-2A program visit the AWMA Web site at www.awmalabor.com.