Good decision-making around the type and amount of labor needed on a farm enhances the farm household’s quality of life and increases the likelihood farmers will successfully meet their financial goals. This site provides tools and strategies to help small and medium-sized fruit and vegetable farms make informed labor decisions.

Events

  • Evaluating Return on Capital Investments

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    Join this upcoming online session to learn how a new, online decision-support tool can help farmers develop careful projections of how long it will take to recover the cost of purchasing new equipment through increased labor efficiency. Presenter John Hendrickson will demonstrate how to use The Equipment Cost Recovery Calculator, including how to use its dedicated labor module to estimate how the investment will affect labor needs. The session will include ample time for Q&A. Free, but advance registration is required.

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  • Becoming the Employer of Choice for Vegetable Farmers

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    Becoming the Employer of Choice for Vegetable Farmers is an eight-session educational series designed to help farmers gain knowledge and skills to lead and manage teams in ways that improve production efficiency, product quality, employee satisfaction, labor retention and quality of life. The course is designed for farmers serving in an employer or manager role. Advance registration is required.

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  • Women Farmers Aging Strong: Balance

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    Women Farmers Aging Strong is a farmer-led, monthly online series for information, support and resource sharing to help farmers preserve and protect our most important farming tool...ourselves. This session focuses on increasing physical stability & improving farm/life balance.

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Explore Resources

  • Dealing with Problems in the Workplace

    This short video from the Farm Manager Series addresses how to identify and deal with workplace problems. University of New Hampshire's Pat McCabe provides practical advice on how to diagnose the problem and its causes, and then how to work with employees to resolve it.

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  • Conflict Resolution Guidelines: A Quick Guide

    It is critical to the smooth workings of a farm that the people who work there take the time to resolve conflicts in a respectful way. Work to resolve conflicts in ways that contribute to the health and harmony of the entire farm community with this 3-step guide.

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  • Know Your Rights with ICE and Border Patrol

    This two-pager provides guidance on what to do should ICE or Border Patrol come to your farm or stops your vehicle. Note: While the information in this resource has been reviewed by immigration attorneys, it should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice pertaining to your needs please consult with an attorney.

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  • Your Role as an Employee Manager

    Use this Assessing Personnel Management Skills checklist to consider the various aspects of being a successful human resources manager and identify areas to work on developing knowledge and skills. (Developed by Iowa State University Extension & Outreach)

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  • Demystifying the H2A Program (article & podcast)

    The United States H-2A "guestworker" visa program allows farmers to hire workers from other countries to fill temporary/seasonal positions when local workers aren't available. Growing For Market has covered the H-2A program in both a 2021 online article and a 2023 podcast episode, offering first-hand perspectives and useful information to consider when deciding if the H-2A program could be a good fit for your operation.

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