Good decision-making around the type and amount of labor needed on a farm enhances the farm household’s quality of life and increases the likelihood farmers will successfully meet their financial goals. This site provides tools and strategies to help small and medium-sized fruit and vegetable farms make informed labor decisions.

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  • Hot Potato Resource Library: Heat Safety Where You Work

    For farmers laboring in hot conditions, keeping yourselves and others safe is both a priority and a growing challenge. In this companion resource library to the video Hot Potato: Heat Safety Where You Work, farmers and ag service providers from across the country share their tips, practices (SOPs), and policies related to extreme heat.

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  • Farmer Self-Care Grants

    Starting Fall 2026, farmers can apply online for two grant types: the Immediate Care Grant ($200), for a single, immediate self-care need — a first therapy session, an initial body treatment after injury, or a restorative wellness visit — and the Sustained Care Grant ($1,000), for ongoing care across a farming season — a series of therapy sessions, multiple chiropractic or bodywork appointments, or sustained mental health support.

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  • 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)

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  • Fast Feedback Loop to Improve Performance (video)

    This 3-minute video shares a quick activity that can help build more productive and stronger farm work teams. The exercise can help improve how employees work together, their level of compassion for each other, and how you can be a better supervisor.

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