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: Fortify

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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 on building bone density & strengthening your impact.

  • Women Farmers Aging Strong: Protect

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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 tick management and personalized stretching.

  • 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.

Explore Resources

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Creating a Personnel Policy Manual

    A personnel policy manual insures that all employees are aware of the policies and expectations of your business. A manual enhances your professionalism, creates consistency in communications, and protects you from appearing arbitrary in your treatment of employees. Drafting this manual will provide you and your management team the opportunity to think through your policies in advance and create a pleasant, productive work environment.

  • 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)

  • Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan

    This toolkit explains different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, where to find trusted immigration services in your community, and how to prepare to assert your constitutional rights in the presence of an immigration officer. It is available in Spanish and English.