Harvesting Success: Navigating the H-2A Program

CPE: 1.5 Credit Hours

Join us for an informative 75-minute webinar, an in-depth exploration of the H-2A program, aimed at shedding light on its intricacies, advantages, and recent regulatory updates that impact this vital agricultural labor initiative.

Discover the myriad advantages that the H-2A program offers, including access to a dependable workforce, heightened productivity, and the capacity to meet seasonal labor demands. On the flip side, explore the potential hurdles that participants might face, such as staying compliant with regulations and effectively managing labor-related issues.

Heather Bustle, a seasoned Work Visa Specialist at GROWMARK, will share firsthand experiences of how GROWMARK has effectively harnessed the H-2A program to fulfill their labor requirements and improve their agricultural operations. This session promises invaluable insights into the strategies and best practices that have transformed this program into a valuable asset for the organization.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Heather Bustle, Work Visa Specialist, GROWMARK, Inc

Heather Bustle is the Work Visa Specialist for GROWMARK, Inc. She manages the foreign visa process for GROWMARK’s Retail Divisions and wholly owned subsidiaries by providing Division Managers and HR personnel with direction on administration, implementation, and compliance of the visa processes. Heather joined the GROWMARK System in 2008 and was a Compliance Analyst with MID-CO Commodities, Inc. before her current role. Heather has her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, farm, and financial management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her Series 3 certification. She and her husband have two children and reside in Normal, IL.

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Director of Education, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

Wayne Sine is an experienced and highly knowledgeable professional in the field of Tax. Wayne recently retired as Tax Director from his company, Southern States Cooperative. He has extensive experience working with agricultural cooperatives and has been a long-time member of the NSAC. He is extremely active in the NSAC, serving as both past Chapter President of the Atlantic Chapter, and past Chair of the Tax Committee, and is currently serving as the NSAC Director of Education. Wayne's career is marked by several accomplishments, and he has always been involved in many organizations, spreading his knowledge. Wayne is a member of the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. He is also Past Chair of both the Tax Committee of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association. Wayne also served on the Tax Policy Committee at the Virginia Society of CPAs and served as past Region Vice President for the Tax Executives Institute.