Employee Management

Two men smiling and walking side-by-side in field
The intake and onboarding process is a critical factor for employee success in the ag industry. A strong onboarding process has been shown to increase employee productivity by more than 70% and employee retention by 82%.

Farm and Ranch Employee Intake and Onboarding

May 2, 2024
Nebraska Extension Agricultural Economist Shannon Sand highlights strategies and best practices of intake and onboarding to help farm and ranch managers implement systems that will foster open communication and employee retention.

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Two farmers conversing near farm equipment
Housing, insurance and vehicles can provide another form of compensation for returning farm or ranch family members. However, it's best for all family members in the operation to get non-monetary compensation in writing before any official employment begins.

Paying Family Members on the Farm or Ranch

February 29, 2024
This is the first in a series of Center for Agricultural Profitability articles that will highlight ideas and tactics for successfully bringing another family member into the operation.

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Attendees of conference sit in ballroom during presentation
Participants who register for the 2024 Nebraska Women in Ag Conference before Feb. 9 can take advantage of a discounted rate for attending the two-day event in Kearney.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference Registration Now Open

January 4, 2024
The 2024 conference highlights include keynote speakers Ashley Machado, Dr. David Kohl, John Noltner, and more than 20 workshops on ag risk management of production, marketing, finances, human and legal.

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Man and son on farm
The upcoming farm succession workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Beginning Farm Tax Credit and Negotiations programs, the Farm and Ranch Project of Legal Aid of Nebraska, and the Nebraska Farmers Union Foundation.

Free Farm Succession Workshops Set for Jan. 24-25

January 4, 2024
Hosted in Stuart and Greeley, the workshops will cover basic estate and succession planning to assist farm and ranch families in creating or reviewing their plans.

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Tractor planting field
Historical farm labor data for Nebraska is available at USDA.

Northern Plains Farm Labor for 2023

November 30, 2023
The number of workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches in the Northern Plains is down slightly from 2022, and wages are up across the board.

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Farmers shaking hands in field
To see if you qualify for USDA's new Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program, visit USDA.

USDA Launches Program to Address Workforce Challenges for Farmers, Ranchers

September 22, 2023
Ag employers can begin applying for a new pilot program that aims to help address workforce needs, promote a safe work environment, and support expansion of lawful migration pathways for workers.

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Combine harvesting corn with grain truck
Featured speakers in this webinar include Marcelo Castillo, USDA research economist, Brian Lisonbee, Lisonbee Immigration Law attorney/owner, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Elliott Dennis, UNL assistant professor and livestock economist.

Seasonal Labor and Immigration for Livestock and Crop Producers

September 22, 2023
For ag producers interested in hiring seasonal labor, this webinar focuses on the state of ag labor and historical use, an overview of visa requirements, procedures, compliance and employer obligations.

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Mother and daughter on farm
In a new CAP webinar, Lindsay Hastings, UNL Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, and research director of NHRI Leadership Mentoring, explains the relationship between managing diverse employees and employee engagement, and how they affect professional productivity and profitability.

Managing Diverse Talents and Perspectives in Professional and Personal Contexts

July 5, 2023
This webinar discusses the importance of family and employee dynamics to well-being and profitability, and examines research-based strategies for positively managing diverse talents and perspectives.

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