Extension Farm Management Fridays: Developing work teams and utilizing resources for long-term success

Posted on February 25, 2021 by

Contact: Trisha Wagner, Extension Farm Management Program Manager, trisha.wagner@wisc.edu

Creating a safe and healthy workspace takes specific actions and changes, but it can have a significant ROI as a result of direct savings, reduced insurance rates, better workplace productivity and a happier workplace.

“Most estimates suggest it costs almost one-third of a year’s wages to bring on a new farm worker including the costs of waiting, workarounds, recruiting, training, and getting a new worker up to speed,” said John Shutske, UW-Madison professor and Extension Specialist. “It’s far better to keep current workers safe, healthy and fully engaged so they want to work on your operation, knowing you have a full commitment to their health and well-being.”

Building a Positive Farm Business Culture, with employee safety and health is the first of two Farm Management Friday webinars in March. The second webinar will explore resources available to help your farm startup. These webinars hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. Farm Management Friday webinars are a part of Extension’s Farm Ready Research winter programming for farmers and ag professionals.

March topics and presenters include:

  • March 5: Building a Positive Farm Business Culture, with employee safety & health. This meeting will explore how farms can become positive places to work during COVID-19, which will help attract and retain good employees. Join Extension Specialist John Shutske, UW Center for Agriculture Safety & Health and Extension educators Jim Versweyveld, Walworth County, Maria Jose Fuenzalida, Dane County and a panel of experts in exploring ways to create a culture on your farm that promotes safety and health to achieve top performance, enhance teamwork, and help you empower your team for long-term success.
  • March 19: Your farm startup: Where to begin and who can help? Whether you’re currently farming and want to explore a new idea or someone new on the farming scene, this session will help you figure out where to start. Learn about tools, people, and resources available in the state that can help you explore your farm dreams. We will hear from Extension Specialist/UW-Platteville Professor Kevin Bernhardt, and Extension Agriculture Educators Leigh Presley Kenosha and Racine County, Steph Plaster Ozaukee and Washington Counties, and Ben Jenkins Green Lake County, and from UW Food Finance Institute

There is no charge to participate in the sessions, but pre-registration is required to allow access to the session. Extension recognizes that producers are receiving information for a lot of meetings this winter; the Farm Ready Research webinar website go.wisc.edu/FarmReadyResearch is your place to find all information about UW-Madison Extension Agriculture programs.

A sample week of Extension agricultural webinars begins on Tuesdays with Badger Dairy Insight from 1-2:30 p.m. and Wisconsin Beef Special Edition from 7-8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays focus on Small Ruminants from 7:30 – 9 p.m.; and then it’s Farm Management Fridays from 11 a.m. – noon.