Finding Help in Agriculture
When people talk about labor in agriculture, the conversation often focuses on full-time help.
But there is another part of the workforce that plays an important role. Short-term and developmental opportunities that help farms and ranches get work done and sometimes bring new people into agriculture.
Sometimes that looks like seasonal labor. A defined timeframe with clear expectations and people who can step in and contribute quickly.
Other times it takes the form of internships, where operations invest time in training and mentorship while students gain exposure and experience.
And sometimes those opportunities grow into apprenticeships, longer commitments focused on developing decision-making ability and mastery.
So where do you find these workers when "nobody wants to work today?" That question was said a little in jest. Taylre Sitz Zemple of Sitz Angus Ranch says the interest is there if expectations are clear.
"There's a lot of kids really interested...there's a lot of people really interested in agriculture. And, I think as a ranch, the clearer you can get on what your expectations are and presenting those expectations in a really realistic way, I think that is a path for success in finding labor."
Interested in hearing more on this topic? This podcast episode features Taylre and discusses it at length: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2166701/episodes/18702496
