There are lots of tips, strategies, and places to go to learn how to hire, train, and retain farm employees. It also helps if you make an effort to think back to situations where you have been an employee. What did you really like about the experience? What did you really dislike? Chances are that your employees will have similar feelings, so part of a good labor management plan begins by being the type of boss that you would like to have.

Many labor-related laws and policies are specific to the type of business you have, the type of labor you hire, and the number of hours that these employees will be working. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check with the department of labor in your state to make sure that you are clear on what is required.

A good resource is "Ag Help Wanted." It is an educational guidebook designed to assist every person who currently manages or expects to manage human resources on farms, ranches, nurseries, dairies, and other agricultural operations. Information is available at [aghelpwanted.org/]. The book can be used as a source of ideas for improving management policies or practices, an occasional reference in coping with problems that arise, or a base for systematic study of human resource management in agriculture.

It presents principles, practical examples, and regulatory considerations and leads to more references that all help equip managers to make choices that are reasonable, legal, and ultimately effective for both their businesses and the people they employ.

Ag Help Wanted is published by the Western Farm Management Extension Committee. Land-grant university educators from seven states and one Canadian province contributed to its development.