Finding, hiring, and retaining quality employees are major challenges for agricultural businesses in Nebraska. Competition for the available workforce comes from area industries, and the labor market is tight. 

In December Nebraska Extension will host Leading Farm and Ranch Employees Seminars at O’Neill, Valentine, and North Platte. The programs are designed to help agricultural employers learn techniques and leadership practices to help motivate and empower employees.

Bob Milligan, senior consultant with Dairy Strategies LLC and professor emeritus from Cornell University, will lead the seminars. Topics will include:

• identifying the future direction of the operation and its workforce needs;
• developing position descriptions, performance expectations, and accountability;
• learning effective recruitment, interviewing, and hiring procedures; and
• identifying employee training and development needs.

Locations, dates and registration contacts are:

O’Neill, Dec. 17: Holt County Courthouse Annex; register at (402) 336-2760

Valentine, Dec. 18: Niobrara Lodge; register at (402) 376-1850

North Platte, Dec. 19: West Central Research and Extension Center; register at (308) 532-2683

All programs will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cost is $75 per person and includes materials, breaks, and the noon meal. Registration is requested by Dec. 10 to insure pre-meeting preparation material is available to participants.

For further information, contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension educator, at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.

The Leading Farm and Ranch Employees Seminars are sponsored in part by the Nebraska Extension Beef Home Study Course and Nebraska Women in Agriculture.