Start your loan process now
Fill out the form below to contact an advisor or call us directly.
Investing in your farm employees means more than providing a paycheck.
In this post, we’ll outline nine ways you can invest in your farm workers in more unique ways and give you insight into how to cover labor costs so that you can hire and retain the best workers.
It’s important for farm workers to have comprehensive healthcare. There are several things to consider when selecting a health plan, such as including dental and vision and the cost of coverage.
Accidents can happen on a farm, where farm workers can become pinned under tractors when they overturn, slip from ladders, and suffer kicks from animals, just to name a few risks. Disability insurance protects farm employees against the loss of their pay due to a disability.
Everyone gets sick at times, and workers with paid sick time can rest and get well at home before it gets worse or spreads to others on the farm. Those who push themselves to come into work when they’re not well may get sicker, be sick longer, cause accidents, and infect others.
Paid sick time can also be used for preventative care. This allows farm employees to go to the doctor to receive vaccinations and screenings. Preventive care can help workers maintain health so they can continue working in top condition.
Paid family and medical leave allows for workers to receive compensation when they need to take an extended amount of time off from working on the farm for a qualified reason. Examples of qualifying reasons include recovering from a serious illness and bonding with a new child in their family.
Right now, fewer than 20% of farm workers receive paid time off (PTO). It may seem like a luxury, but PTO is important to the mental well-being of farm employees. Also, offering paid vacation time can help create more loyal employees.
Investing in your employees can pay off in the long run. Upskill your farm employees with training in sustainable farming methods and other agricultural areas, and you won’t need to rely on outside vendors. It can save time and money to have a right-hand farm employee.
Having a place to live on the farm can cut down not only on housing costs but also on commuting times and costs. Your farm employee may appreciate being nearby so that they can be available quickly should a situation arise where they’re needed. However, other farm employees may prefer not to live on their employer’s property.
In this context, profit sharing is when employers share a percentage of the business profits with their farm employees. This can be beneficial for farms because it encourages the farm employees to work hard and not waste resources so that the farm can be more profitable.
During the holidays or after the harvest season, a cash bonus can be a welcome addition to hourly or salaried pay. It shows gratitude for the hard work of a farm employee.
The 2024 U.S. Farm Employee Salaries Infographic from FBN® Finance highlights the average pay for ag employees across the United States and provides insight on factors that can contribute to determining a fair wage.
Do you want to invest more in your farm employees so you can hire and retain the best workers? We understand that as much as you may want to put more capital toward labor costs, your cash flow may vary throughout the year.
FBN Finance provides a farm operating line of credit for covering the cost of labor.
It doesn’t cost anything to apply online for a farm operating line from FBN Finance. Want to find out more? Get answers to frequently asked questions about the farm operating line from FBN Finance here.
© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, "Farmers First", “FBN Direct”, "F2F", and "F2F Genetics Network" are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
FBN Finance, LLC commercial operating lines of credit are offered by FBN Finance, LLC and its financing partners, and are available only where FBN Finance, LLC is licensed. Terms and conditions apply. All credit is subject to approval and underwriting. Interest rates and fees will vary depending on your individual situation. Not all applicants will qualify.
The material provided is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific professional advice. Neither Farmer’s Business Network nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. The information and opinions expressed by others in this material are their own and are not endorsed or approved by FBN or its affiliates.