Author: Sarah Janes Ugoretz
Doctoral candidate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Nelson Institute
This June 2021 report is based on data collected through electronic surveys and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 farm owners and 13 employees working on certified organic vegetable farms primarily located in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The focus of the study was to better understand what employees look for and value in a work place with the goal of helping farmers strengthen the conditions that draw workers to their farms and encourage them to stay for the long term. The research was conducted by Sarah Janes Ugoretz, a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Nelson Institute.
After briefly explaining the methods and terminology used in the report, Ugoretz shares information about "What Matters to Employees" and "What Role Can Labor Management Tools, Practice and Policies Play in Employee Retention." Appendices include examples of positions descriptions, an employee manual, employee evaluations, and standard operating procedure documents.
View and download the Attracting and Retaining Employees on Organic Vegetable Farms Report