“Good help is hard to find.” It’s a saying we’ve all heard and likely repeated many times. While it’s true that finding skilled labor is a major challenge, there are strategies farmers can use to make their operations more attractive workplaces. And here’s the good news—it doesn’t necessarily require offering higher pay.
According to Mary Lewis, a management development specialist at Cornell University, farm workers will often “shop around” and “price compare” when it comes to finding a place of employment that checks all their boxes. Therefore, clearly listing the unique benefits your operation offers beyond the hourly pay rate is a strategy every farmer should implement.
“This information could make all the difference to an employee who needs more buy-in and begins before the interview process,” Lewis says. “This knowledge can be posted on a wall and often reviewed with current employees. Your current employees are your loudest advocates and recruiters of the farm. When your employees discuss job openings, you want to ensure they emphasize all benefits of working on the farm, not just the hourly wage.”
Lewis provides the following benefits your farm could potentially offer to outshine the competition.
- Vacation days/paid time off/sick days
- Pizza parties
- Housing (with free utilities / WiFi / Direct T.V. / etc.)
- Bonuses
- Insurance plans
- Access to free beverages during the day / night shifts
- Transportation to the farm or access to a work truck / vehicle
- Transportation to health visits / grocery store / etc.
- Opportunities for overtime hours
- Advanced technology / equipment on the farm to make their jobs easier
- Opportunities for advancement within the farm
- Higher-paid positions for supervisors or trainers
- Paid professional growth through training/educational classes
- Paid English classes
- Safety supplies/safety training/uniforms
- Any free produce/beef/apples or products that come from their hard work on the farm
- A good, nontoxic, friendly, and respectful workplace
- A family environment with long-term employees that are celebrated and rewarded for their service
- And most of all: a highly involved, kind, and humble boss who sincerely cares
It’s no secret - workers are more likely to be satisfied and stay longer if they feel valued beyond their paychecks. Jot down what unique benefits would be feasible for your operation and work to make them come to life. You just might find that it’s not so hard to find good help after all.
For more on labor, read:
- How To Develop an Easy Organizational Chart for Farm Employees
- How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team
- The Number One Secret to Motivate and Empower People
