Paul Frank + Collins will again be partnering with Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide a Building Executive Business Skills (BEBS) program to Vermont working lands businesses. The focus of the program will be enhancing human resources skills and compliance. The program will be provided at no cost to participants and is made possible by the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative.
The BEBS program will be a training and compliance series that will provide business owners in Vermont’s agriculture, food, forest, and wood products sectors with an increased awareness and understanding of executive business skills. The trainings will emphasize the development of basic human resources skills for managers, including: employment law and compliance, hiring strategies, and management skills that enhance employee performance and retention. Participants will also receive individualized legal services to ensure compliance with various employment laws.
Program Dates
The program will run from April through November 2025.
Trainings
A series of six (6) trainings will be primarily held via Zoom, but one or more in-person trainings may be scheduled depending on participant interest and availability. The trainings will run 1.5-2 hours each. Training topics will include:
- Recruiting and hiring basics.
- Basic legal requirements related to human resources, including recordkeeping, I-9 forms, wage and hour, earned sick time, and non-discrimination.
- How to handle disabilities (including reasonable accommodations), medical leave and other reasons for leave.
- Managing employee performance (including discipline and termination).
- Creating a respectful and inclusive work environment.
- Legally required policies and best practices in human resources management.
Participants are expected to commit to attending each training session.
Individual Site Visits
Each participant will engage in an individual meeting/site visit either during the training series or in the fall once trainings have been completed. This visit can be scheduled at a time that is most convenient for your business.
Paul, Frank + Collins will provide feedback on how to apply human resources concepts, and we will review and discuss the participant’s business practices and protocols, including job descriptions, management structure, personnel documents such as leave paperwork, I-9 forms, recordkeeping methods, and employee evaluation processes.
Paul, Frank + Collins will also review payroll topics, including Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions and overtime issues.
Employee Handbook
Each participant will be provided with a set of draft policies or recommended revisions to an existing employee handbook. Policies will reflect applicable laws and best practices.
The program will be led by Kerin Stackpole and Kristina Brines of the labor and employment law team at Paul Frank + Collins. (Bio information: Kerin E. Stackpole, SPHR and Kristina Roomet Brines, PHR, SHRM-CP).
Participant Eligibility
All businesses in Vermont’s farm and forest economy are welcome to participate. Value-added food businesses that source at least 50% of raw ingredients from Vermont are also eligible to apply. BEBS program participants will be clients of Paul Frank + Collins P.C. but costs for the program will be covered by the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. In the unlikely event that our firm has a conflict of interest with respect to a participant, that participant will be ineligible for the program.
Enrolling
Please apply by March 28, 2025. Enrollment is limited to 5 participating businesses in 2025 and applicants will be selected based on need for and commitment to the program. Decisions will be made by April 4, 2025.
To apply, please submit your application to Laurie Noyes at lnoyes@pfclaw.com. Please reach out to Laurie if you have not received a blank application.