Resources

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How to Keep You and Your Employees Safe During Extreme Heat

Tips and links to resources and videos (in multiple languages) on ways to reduce heat stress and to respond is someone is experience heat-related illness.
Your Role as an Employee Manager

Use this Assessing Personnel Management Skills checklist to consider the various aspects of being a successful human resources manager and identify areas to work on developing knowledge and skills.
(Developed by Iowa State University Extension & Outreach)
Payroll Taxes & Farm Businesses

This FAQ-style resource helps farm businesses understand and manage payroll taxes. It covers topics such as Federal and State Unemployment Tax (FUTA and SUTA), the thresholds for paying these taxes, the costs involved, and the steps to comply with tax regulations. Author: Rachel Armstrong, Farm Commons. Last updated July 2024.
Preventing, Identifying and Handling Sexual Harassment (Farm Manager Video Series)

Two training videos you can reference to prevent sexual harassment on your farm, and to respond to it if need be:
Farm Manager Video Series: Preventing Sexual Harassment (UNH, UVM)
Safety in the Field: Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment for Farm Workers (AgriSafe)
Conflict Resolution Guidelines: A Quick Guide

It is critical to the smooth workings of a farm that the people who work there take the time to resolve conflicts in a respectful way. Work to resolve conflicts in ways that contribute to the health and harmony of the entire farm community with this 3-step guide.
Know Your Rights with ICE and Border Patrol

This two-pager provides guidance on what to do should ICE or Border Patrol come to your farm or stops your vehicle. Note: While the information in this resource has been reviewed by immigration attorneys, it should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice pertaining to your needs please consult with an attorney.

Toolkit for employing people in recovery from substance abuse disorders

The Chittenden County (Vermont) Opioid Alliance (CCOA) developed the 43-page Employer Toolkit to provide employers with tools necessary to employing people in recovery from substance use disorders.…
Tractor, Equipment and Machinery Purchasing Decision-Making

This webpage from the University of Vermont Extension's Ground Work Program brings together a number of resources to help you make decisions about purchasing equipment and machinery.
Training Employees Who Operate Agricultural Tractors

This 2020 Iowa State University publication outlines nine practices agricultural employers should cover during training with employees who operate tractors. These practices help prevent tractor overturns and the resulting injuries and fatalities.
UMASH Safety & Health Resources in Spanish

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center resource database contains a variety of health and safety materials, including a several Spanish language guides. You can search for materials by keyword, category, and tags/topics and language.
UMASH Safety Check

The UMASH Safety Check is designed to help farmers identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to people working on your farms. It includes checklists, tips, and resources to help remedy problems.
Used Farm Equipment: Assessing Quality, Safety and Economics

This publication can help you evaluate whether buying used farm machinery makes sense for your operation. In addition to providing information on how to assess the quality and serviceability of the…
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet

This eight-page booklet is produced through a collaboration of agencies and organizations involved with Vermont agriculture.
Vermont Farmworker Housing Repair and Replacement Program

This program aims to preserve affordable housing and to help improve the health and welfare of the Vermont farm workforce. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the goal of committing current funds by September 2025.
Vermont job advertisement rules: Pay Equity

Effective July 1, 2025, business owners in Vermont who employ at least 5 people must state the expected range of compensation in job advertisements.
Vermont Tick Information Center

This website, hosted by the University of Vermont's Integrated Tick Management Program, provides information for farmers on how to protect people, livestock and pets ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Wearable Technology for Health and Safety in Agricultural Work

View this recording to learn about strategies for identifying, evaluating and using wearable technology that can make you and your employees healthier and safer while working in agriculture. The session also included ideas for how you might integrate these devices in to your management framework with a goal of increasing wellness and decreasing injuries and illnesses. Some examples of wearable technology in farming include using heat and humidity monitors to prevent heat illness, and heart rate monitors to help fit tasks to the individuals and prevent over-exertion.
Why create an employee handbook for your farm?

This January 2024 online workshop featured a panel of experienced Vermont farmers who described how and why their employee handbooks have helped finding and retaining employees, establishing and maintaining team morale and overall farm efficiency.
Winning Strategies for Farmers to Transition to the "New Normal."

This half-hour presentation shared experiences and insights from farmers, extension personnel and community organizations in North Carolina related to transitions from conventional business models to…
Workers' Compensation & Farm Businesses

This document is an FAQ-style bulletin that helps farm business managers estimate the cost of workers' compensation for financial and business planning. It covers requirements, cost factors, and steps to obtain workers' compensation coverage. It was written by Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons and last updated July 2024.