"Managing a Hispanic Workforce" is the subject of two one-day conferences designed for dairy farm managers. The conferences, sponsored by Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University, will be held Jan. 16, 2001, in Harrisburg, Pa., and Jan. 18, 2001, in Rochester, N.Y.

Dairy producers employ an increasingly Hispanic workforce as well as workers from other cultures. "This conference will be a unique opportunity to learn from people who have experience with cross-cultural situations," says David Grusenmeyer, Cornell senior extension associate in animal science. Experts and workshop leaders will present information, and panel members will provide practical, employment-related examples, he says.

Conference participants will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the Hispanic culture, says Grusenmeyer. They will learn methods of organization and communication that will help workers and managers become an effective multi-cultural team. In addition, participants will learn about regulations governing illegal-immigrant workers and ways to avoid legal problems.

For conference information, contact any of the following: David Grusenmeyer at (607) 255-0756 or by e-mail at dcg10@cornell.edu ; Tammy Perkins, Dairy Alliance, at (888) 373-PADA or by e-mail at tammy@dairyalliance.org; or Richard Stup, Dairy Alliance, at (814) 652-6430 or richstup@psu.edu.

The conference's early registration will be $95 through Dec. 18. Afterward, registration will be $120. To register, contact conference coordinator Dee Brothers at (607) 255-4478 or <dab2@cornell.edu >.