Resources

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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.
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.
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.
Recruiting Employees: The importance of a good for employment application form

A standard application form that collects the same information from all job applicants and clearly displays your farm name and contact information is an important part of presenting your operation in a professional manner. This template provides a good basis for your employment application form and allows you to customize with your farm name and logo.
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.
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan / Plan de Preparación Familiar

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.

UMASH Safety Check

The UMASH Safety Check is designed to help farmers identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to people working on your farms. It includes checklists, tips, and resources to help remedy problems.
Used Farm Equipment: Assessing Quality, Safety and Economics

This publication can help you evaluate whether buying used farm machinery makes sense for your operation. In addition to providing information on how to assess the quality and serviceability of the…
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet

This eight-page booklet is produced through a collaboration of agencies and organizations involved with Vermont agriculture.
Vermont Farmworker Housing Repair and Replacement Program

This program aims to preserve affordable housing and to help improve the health and welfare of the Vermont farm workforce. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the goal of committing current funds by September 2025.
Vermont job advertisement rules: Pay Equity

Effective July 1, 2025, business owners in Vermont who employ at least 5 people must state the expected range of compensation in job advertisements.
Vermont Tick Information Center

This website, hosted by the University of Vermont's Integrated Tick Management Program, provides information for farmers on how to protect people, livestock and pets ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Wearable Technology for Health and Safety in Agricultural Work

View this recording to learn about strategies for identifying, evaluating and using wearable technology that can make you and your employees healthier and safer while working in agriculture. The session also included ideas for how you might integrate these devices in to your management framework with a goal of increasing wellness and decreasing injuries and illnesses. Some examples of wearable technology in farming include using heat and humidity monitors to prevent heat illness, and heart rate monitors to help fit tasks to the individuals and prevent over-exertion.
Why and How Farmers Protect Their Skin

In this Growing For Market article Katie Kulla writes about an important, but often overlooked health issue: skin protection. Explore why skin protection matters and how you can go out into the field confident that you're doing your best for your skin.
Why create an employee handbook for your farm?

This January 2024 online workshop featured a panel of experienced Vermont farmers who described how and why their employee handbooks have helped finding and retaining employees, establishing and maintaining team morale and overall farm efficiency.
Winning Strategies for Farmers to Transition to the "New Normal."

This half-hour presentation shared experiences and insights from farmers, extension personnel and community organizations in North Carolina related to transitions from conventional business models to…
Workers' Compensation & Farm Businesses

This document is an FAQ-style bulletin that helps farm business managers estimate the cost of workers' compensation for financial and business planning. It covers requirements, cost factors, and steps to obtain workers' compensation coverage. It was written by Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons and last updated July 2024.