What's Happening?
Shannon Sand, an agricultural economics Extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has highlighted the importance of a formal onboarding process to improve farm labor retention. Sand, who specializes in risk management, strategic planning, business planning, and finance, notes that implementing a structured onboarding process can increase employee productivity by over 70% and retention by 82%. Key elements of effective onboarding include a warm welcome, clear procedural information, work time and pay expectations, comprehensive job descriptions, and sharing the farm's philosophy and values. Sand emphasizes that these practices are not only beneficial for large farms but are crucial for smaller operations as well, where family members often have to adapt to changing roles.
Why It's Important?
The significance of Sand's recommendations lies in addressing the chronic issue of labor shortages in the agricultural sector. By improving retention rates, farms can reduce the costs associated with high turnover, such as recruitment and training expenses. Enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction can lead to more stable operations, which is vital for maintaining consistent output and meeting market demands. Small farms, which may lack the resources of larger operations, stand to benefit significantly from these practices, ensuring that they can remain competitive and sustainable in the long term. The broader impact on the agricultural industry includes potential improvements in food security and economic stability.
What's Next?
Farms that adopt these onboarding strategies may see immediate improvements in employee retention and productivity. As more farms implement these practices, there could be a shift towards more formalized human resource management within the agricultural sector. This could lead to industry-wide changes in how farm labor is managed, potentially influencing policy discussions on labor standards and practices. Stakeholders such as agricultural associations and policymakers might take interest in these developments, considering them in future legislative or support initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural workforce.
Beyond the Headlines
The adoption of formal onboarding processes in agriculture could have ethical implications, promoting fair labor practices and improving working conditions for farm workers. This shift may also influence cultural perceptions of farm work, potentially attracting a more diverse workforce and encouraging younger generations to consider careers in agriculture. Long-term, these changes could contribute to a more resilient agricultural sector, better equipped to handle challenges such as climate change and global market fluctuations.
