Labor Guide

As competition for available skilled farm workers intensifies and wages for those workers increase, finding and retaining farm labor remains one of the greatest challenges for Ohio agriculture. That’s why Ohio Farm Bureau, in a partnership with Nationwide, has released a first-of-its-kind Labor Intelligence Report and Guide to Finding, Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees through their new Ag Intelligence Service.

The report, titled “Farm Employees. Where are they? Strategies and Solutions for Your Farm,” outlines current farm labor challenges and explores how farmers are considering alternative staffing solutions and strategies to find, recruit and retain farm employees. The report is being offered as a free download for anyone interested in the valuable information.

“A Guide to Finding, Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees,” available exclusively for Ohio Farm Bureau members, is designed to help position farm businesses as an employer of choice in this tough labor market. It will help farmers attract and retain quality labor and reduce the chance of a key employee leaving, causing a business disruption.

“While a career in agriculture has many selling points, it’s not the easiest profession and fewer people are returning to the farm or even considering the field,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “Finding good, reliable employees has been challenging, to say the least. These advanced resources from Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide will be a major asset for our members when it comes to recruitment, retention and culture development, all vital to ensure a farm’s success and growth.”

The guide is packed with valuable information to help farm employers attract and retain farm workers, including:
  • What’s a business culture and why you need one.
  • Skills sets. What you have and what you will need.
  • How to recruit good people.
  • Compensation and other ideas to reward employees.
  • Creating an orientation/onboarding experience.
  • Tips to motivate performance.
  • How will you retain employees?

“We hope this guide will help Ohio Farm Bureau members position their farm for employment success and enhance their recruiting, hiring and retention strategies,” Sharp said. “Finding good employees is not easy, but adapting to the new norm can give you a leg up on the competition.”

Download the report or the guide

Labor Webinar Series

In addition, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is hosting a series of 30-minute, lunch-and-learn webinars which will provide farmers with tips and tools on employee retention, recruitment, the H-2A system, organizational culture, and labor-saving technology ideas. Farmers can learn more and register for the webinars at ofb.ag/laborwebinars.

This article is provided for informational purposes and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Nationwide are not responsible for the content. It should not be perceived as legal advice. Laws can be amended frequently in both substance and interpretation. This publication should not be considered a substitute for the actual text of the law. Employers should consult their legal counsel with questions.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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