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Unit 3: Managing the Farm/Ranch Business for Long-Term Success

The questions on the previous page highlight just a few of the many issues that farm business managers may face when it comes to human resource management. Finding and hiring good employees is an important part of that picture. But farmers and ranchers must also learn how to be good managers, in order to retain employees and help them be productive and reach their full potential. There are entire books and courses on the topic, but much of the wisdom from those sources can be distilled down to three basic skills: communicate effectively, have a good understanding of what motivates people, and know how to help people work together as a team.

For farmers and ranchers interested in learning more, you might suggest the following resources to get them started: 

The Organic Farmer's Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff—and Making a Profit. Richard Wiswall. Chelsea Green Publishing. 2009

Ag Help Wanted: Guidelines for Managing Agricultural Labor. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. 2002

Positive Practices in Farm Labor Management. ATTRA. 2008

Human Resource Management for Farm Business in Manitoba. Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI). 2012