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

  • Women Farmers Aging Strong: Thrive

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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 evolving with your farm as you age and taking care of your hands.

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Explore Resources

  • 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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  • Fast Feedback Loop to Improve Performance (video)

    This 3-minute video shares a quick activity that can help build more productive and stronger farm work teams. The exercise can help improve how employees work together, their level of compassion for each other, and how you can be a better supervisor.

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  • Equipment Cost Recovery Calculator

    The Equipment Cost Recovery Calculator is a spreadsheet-based workbook that helps estimate the time it will take to recover the cost of purchasing new equipment through increased labor efficiency (labor cost savings). It was developed by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin.

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  • Creating Cash Flow Projections

    Planning ahead is a key management strategy, especially when it comes to cash flow. A cash flow projection (or cash flow budget) uses your projected income and expenses to estimate the amount of money you expect to flow in and out of your business. Iowa State University and the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program both offer free cash flow templates that are available for download.

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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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