VegetableGrowerConnect Highlights The Power Of People [opinion]
December 4, 2014 
As part of the VegetableGrowerConnect (L-R: Bruce Frasier, Dixondale Farms; Dewey Holliday, Mercer Canyons; Robert Sakata, Sakata Farms; Steve Lyles, Steven Lyles Farms; and Mark McLaughlin, Kleen Globe), growers took part in a roundtable discussion focusing on key industry issues, such as labor.
Photo credit: Jenna Rymer
Last month, American Vegetable Grower held its VegetableGrowerConnect event in San Diego, CA. Unlike a trade show or conference, this invitation-only program brought together some of the largest vegetable production operations in the Western U.S. for one-on-one meetings with industry suppliers.
VegetableGrowerConnect is a different kind of event. It not only gives growers an opportunity to meet with decision makers from supplying companies, it gives them time to interact with their peers. It also gave me the opportunity to find out what is on their minds as we head in to 2015.
We talked about many topics at the top of their respective lists, including food safety, water quality and scarcity, increasing regulations, and labor. The topic of labor, however, was also discussed at a grower roundtable meeting and homed in on how to attract more young people to work on the farm.
As you’d expect, profitability entered the conversation on several occasions. We all know that in addition to the current lack of farm workers, inefficient employees not only cause major disruptions in the workplace, they can directly impact the bottom line — and not in a good way.
Several growers said more effort needs to be made in the area of getting the word out about how rewarding a career in farming can be. Some mentioned having “family days” on the farm where people from the community as well as family members of farm workers can come out and enjoy the day on the farm and learn about agriculture at the same time.
Most agreed we all need to do a better job of telling ag’s story as well as the story of their own farms. We need to let young people know that a career in farming utilizes the latest technology, offers competitive wages and benefits, and allows for growth within the operation.
What is the best way to do that? Target high schools and colleges to find the people you need who will be a good fit for your farm.
You are probably not the type of person who wants to toot your own horn, but I’m willing to bet you are very good at what you do. You have properly educated people in place who are trained to run the high-tech planting or spraying equipment that at the end of the day is saving you money. Yes, saving you money and helping to grow productivity.
How do you plan to recruit employees? We need to change the perception of a career in ag one person at a time. It all comes down to people.
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