Be an employer of choice – helping farmers better manage people

Farmers can access a library of online information and resources to use throughout the cycle of recruiting, onboarding, managing, developing and progressing people.

With tips, tools and templates across a range of topics from writing a job advert, running interviews and building staff handbooks through to delegating, motivating and coaching teams. There’s also advice on running reviews and signposts to find out what to do when things don’t go to plan. 

Along with a podcast featuring a farmer case study and a circle of influence event with key social influencers dicussing labour, the campaign will be supported by a five-part webinar series featuring experts sharing their own insights and experiences from within agriculture and also looking at best practice from other industries.  

In addition, four case study farmers from difference sectors will be talking about their experiences of managing people, the steps they’ve taken and the positive impact on their farming operations.

The campaign is part of the wider AgriLeader programme and encourages farmers to take proactive steps in better managing their employees and, ultimately, better leading themselves, their people and their businesses.

Izak Van Heerden, who leads the AgriLeader programme, said, “Trying to find the right people, with the rights skills, at the right time is one of the most frequent topics of conversation among farmers these days – highlighting that labour is one of the biggest challenges farmers are currently facing.

“That is why the AgriLeader team have pulled together a number of resources to help farmers become “the employer of choice” by taking those first small steps. Whether you like to listen, read, watch or do, the Labour Lifecycle resources has something for everyone, and for whichever stage of the employment cycle you’re at, the Labour Lifecycle offers value to your farming business.”

The Wednesday webinar series include:

Recruiting people – How to become an employer of choice – 26 October 2022, 7–8pm 

We are joined by dairy farmer Stephen Cookson from Queastybirch Hall Farm and Lucy McClymont, Kite Consulting.    

Onboarding people – Getting off to the right start – 2 November 2022, 7–8pm 

With David Bell, mixed farmer in East Fife with cereal, beef, potato, and environmental enterprises and Maree Moore, Assoc. Director Organisational Learning, Talent & Inclusion at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

Managing people – Getting the best from your team – 9 November 2022, 7–8pm 

With David Homer, Wiltshire dairy farmer and Heather Wildman of Saviour Associates. 

Developing people – Grow your people and they’ll grow your business – 16 November 2022,7–8pm 

With Lincolnshire cereals and vegetable farmer Nicola Carr and Kim Stafford, Director of U&I.

Progressing people – It's not always a promotion – 23 November 2022, 7–8pm 

With Gloucestershire dairy farmer Mike King, Kingspool Holsteins and Natalie Ward, Senior Associate Solicitor, Thrings.