Labor Relations

In Pennsylvania, one in 15 jobs is in the agricultural and food industry. If you’re looking to increase your labor force, Penn State Extensions has a library of resources to help you. Find information on recruiting farm workers, managing small Ag business teams, regulations, health, safety, and benefits.

Agricultural Labor Force: Recruiting Farm Workers

You’ll find hired farmworkers in a variety of occupations. Nursery workers, livestock workers, field crop workers, graders, sorters, hired farm managers, agricultural inspectors, and supervisors are just a few examples.

The vast majority are wage and salary workers. As a farmer, it’s your responsibility to attract, select, and hire them. Job descriptions, for example, are a vital part of human resource management practices.

Once you’ve hired your team, you’ve got to make sure you keep them – a stable and reliable workforce will help you grow your business. You can keep your most valuable employees using one of many strategies. Above all, you must meet their needs and provide opportunities for them to grow and learn. A flexible work schedule and allowing for the integration of work/life issues are also very effective.

Some farm workers might be employees of agricultural service companies, such as custom harvest providers, management service providers, and farm labor contractors. Many hired farm workers are foreign-born people from Mexico and Central America. A friendly, trusted work environment is critical if you want to attract and retain Hispanic employees. If you want them to excel, proper Hispanic workforce training is crucial.

Farm Labor Resources: Regulations, Health, Safety, Benefits

The needs and practices of the agriculture industry are continuously growing and evolving. As a farm worker employer, you need to keep up to date with the latest regulations, health and safety requirements, and benefits.

The Coronavirus has had a massive impact on agricultural businesses, for example. Additional benefits are available to small food and farm businesses through the CARES Act or Phase III of the federal stimulus package.

An increasing number of farm workers have concerns about their children’s care when they are at work. Choose a child-care strategy that fits your business and responds to their needs means your employees will be more effective in the workplace.

The safety and health of your employees is always a priority. You can minimize risks with effective Safety and Health Management Planning. Helpful resources include EPA Worker Protection Standard training materials, Worker Protection Standard information, and a Worker Protection Standard checklist. Being able to discuss successes and struggles with other managers at a roundtable discussion can also be helpful.

Following basic health and hygiene rules is key in any agricultural business, not just for your employees but also for the general public. Food service employees, in particular, should not work when sick as they can easily contaminate food and food contact surfaces. If your workforce participates in a health coverage plan, they are more likely to stay home when sick. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees can use SHOP to offer coverage to their employees.

Managing Small Ag Business Teams

Effective management skills are the foundation of a thriving agricultural business. To build a solid agricultural team, you must invest in your employees. Good leadership involves helping manage stress on the farm, growing a motivated Ag team, and encouraging peak performance. As a workforce leader, you also have to encourage your employees to adapt to change.

Team building skills are essential for the success of an Ag business. Having the right people in the correct roles is also an important factor. Regular team meetings allow issues to be discussed and dealt with quickly. A useful tool for overcoming problems is The Seven Steps of Action Planning. Good communication is vital, especially if you have members of the team who work remotely.