Resources

Here you'll find links to articles, fact sheets and other resources related to being a farm employer.

  • Insider Tips on Managing Farm Staff with Kate Donald

    Kate Donald has been farming for 20+ years, having worked on farms in California and Massachusetts before returning to here home state of New Hampshire. She and her husband Jeff co-own Stout Oak Farm, a Certified Organic vegetable farm in Brentwood, NH, where she works with a team of twelve employees to grow vegetables, microgreens, seedlings, and cut flowers. Kate also co-owns the local food hub Three River Farmers Alliance.
  • Interviewing and Evaluating Applicants

    The interview is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. It provides an opportunity to get to know applicants before you make a commitment to invest in a new team member.
    These sample questionnaires and informational resources from UVM Extension, UNH Extention, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach can help you navigate the interview process.
  • 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.
  • Legal Requirements of Being an Ag Employer

    If you are new to the legal aspects being a farm employer, you will want to gain an understanding the following topics at a minimum: workers compensation, minimum wage, paperwork needed at the start…

  • Lessons in Ergonomics from My Grandmother

    UVM Extension's Agricultural Engineer Chris Callahan shares simple approaches to ergonomics - the practice of designing and arranging the things we use so that we interact with them efficiently and safely -- that can make a big difference to everyone.
  • Money Doesn’t Always Matter

    This article by Kimberly Williams-Brackett provides further analysis of the the research presented in Money Doesn’t Always Matter, Low Cost Ways to Increase the Longevity of Southern Idaho’s Hispanic Agricultural Employees while considering surveys and findings from the past 10 years.
  • Onboarding New Employees

    Having a system in place to orient new employees does several important things for your business. First, it ensures each employee hears the important information and completes all the necessary forms.…

  • Payroll Taxes and Farm Businesses

    This FAQ-style resource helps farm businesses understand and manage payroll taxes. It covers topics such as Federal and State Unemployment Tax (FUTA and SUTA), the thresholds for paying these taxes, the costs involved, and the steps to comply with tax regulations. Author: Rachel Armstrong, Farm Commons. Last updated July 2024.
  • Penn State Recursos de seguridad agrícola en español

    El Programa de Seguridad Agrícola de la Universidad Estatal de Pensilvania ha producido más de 30 artículos y videos sobre temas de seguridad y salud en las granjas en español. Los temas abarcan desde opciones de seguro médico para trabajadores agrícolas hasta seguridad de tractores y equipos.

    (A list of farm safety resources in Spanish from Penn State)
  • Penn State Spanish Language Farm Safety Resources

    Pennsylvania State University's Farm Safety Program has produced 30+ articles and videos on farm safety and health topics in Spanish. Topics range from navigating health insurance options for farm workers to tractor and equipment safety.