Farm Labor Workshops Tell Complexity Of Hiring, Firing
November 29, 2018
Major farm management decisions concern capital and labor. Too little attention goes to the labor side of farming, says agricultural economist Joe Horner.
To help decision-makers, he plans three University of Missouri Extension workshops across Missouri.
Farm labor management isn’t like the old days, when a farmer could hire neighbor boys to help. Also, present-day labor is more complex. Big machinery bought to cut labor takes skilled operators.
The machines bring more concerns with farm safety.
More government regulations add to decision-making. Legal issues arise.
Getting farm labor divides into three parts, Horner says. There is recruiting, hiring and keeping workers.
If things don’t work out, termination may be needed. That raises more legal concerns.
When hiring, likely more attention will be given to training. When looking for alternative sources of labor, there won’t be many with farm experience. Mentoring time goes up.
A new Missouri Farm Labor Guide has been prepared by MU Extension economists and labor specialists. The 43-page book comes free with workshop enrollment.
The workshop time and places with local contacts for sign-up:
Dec. 6, Springfield, Oasis Hotel and Convention Center. Wes Tucker, 417-326-4916.
Dec. 13, Sikeston, City of Miner Convention Center. David Reinbott, 573-545-3516.
The day meeting includes lunch.
More details can be found at www.agebb.missouri.edu/commag/farmlabor.
Major farm management decisions concern capital and labor. Too little attention goes to the labor side of farming, says agricultural economist Joe Horner.
To help decision-makers, he plans three University of Missouri Extension workshops across Missouri.
Farm labor management isn’t like the old days, when a farmer could hire neighbor boys to help. Also, present-day labor is more complex. Big machinery bought to cut labor takes skilled operators.
The machines bring more concerns with farm safety.
More government regulations add to decision-making. Legal issues arise.
Getting farm labor divides into three parts, Horner says. There is recruiting, hiring and keeping workers.
If things don’t work out, termination may be needed. That raises more legal concerns.
When hiring, likely more attention will be given to training. When looking for alternative sources of labor, there won’t be many with farm experience. Mentoring time goes up.
A new Missouri Farm Labor Guide has been prepared by MU Extension economists and labor specialists. The 43-page book comes free with workshop enrollment.
The workshop time and places with local contacts for sign-up:
Dec. 6, Springfield, Oasis Hotel and Convention Center. Wes Tucker, 417-326-4916.
Dec. 13, Sikeston, City of Miner Convention Center. David Reinbott, 573-545-3516.
The day meeting includes lunch.
More details can be found at www.agebb.missouri.edu/commag/farmlabor.