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: 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

  • 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.

  • Attracting & Retaining Employees on Organic Vegetable Farms

    This 2021 report aims to help farmers create conditions that draw workers to their farm and encourage them to stay over the long term. Based on surveys and in-depth interviews with farmers primarily from the Upper Midwest, it is relevant to addressing common challenges among small and medium-sized vegetable producers in many parts of the US.

  • 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.

  • Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas

    This is a small card people can carry in wallet or pocket to assert their constitutional rights if ICE comes to their home. Available in 56 languages. Free from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

  • 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.