Episode 251: Help Wanted, The State of Ag Labor

Finding good help on the farm is an age-old problem, but in recent months and years, the difficulty seems to have risen exponentially. Between the struggle of an aging rural workforce, the new pressures introduced by COVID, and the gaps and expenses of federal programs like H-2A, the challenges are piling up, while meaningful solutions remain thin on the ground. The DTN team is no stranger to this problem, which is why we dedicated a whole series of stories in the summer issue to understanding agriculture’s worker shortage and highlighting how progressive farmers are turning labor struggles into opportunities.Today, DTN Managing Editor Anthony Greder joins us to discuss these stories. He starts by digging into what the data shows about the true barriers to work on the farm, including why compensation might not be the thing that’s holding farms back. We’ll learn about the current challenges and benefits of the H-2A program, and what tech solutions are becoming increasingly common, thanks to their labor saving benefits. Finally, we’ll hear about the creative strategies that farmers are turning to — from offering expanded benefits to delivering on a positive workplace culture, in order to attract and keep the employees they need.