Labor Management Series
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5-part farm mentor training and labor management series designed for farmers and farm mentors that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers’ stories and guides farm managers and mentors through crucial aspects of managing and mentoring including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering your staff. Registration is free and open to all. Attend only a few or all of the mentor training workshops in the series. Please register here and direct any questions about the series to Beginning Farmer Program Specialist, Bo Dennis at [email protected].
This event is part of a 3-year Northeast SARE-funded grant with several partners across the region, focused on supporting farm mentors to build their capacity as educators – thereby better supporting our aspiring, beginning, or first-generation farmers. We aim to train at least 25 farmers who currently serve in agricultural mentorship positions.
Series Sessions
Centering Workers on Farms
January 10, 3-6 p.m. EST
With Not Our Farm
To kick off MOFGA’s labor management series, this workshop will consist of multiple opportunities for us all to reflect on and discuss the absolute necessity of centering workers in all aspects of our farming operations. We will approach this through the lens of human resources (interviews, onboarding, working training) and by hearing conversations and insights from experienced career farmers who have spent many years working on farms not their own. Join us for what is sure to be a vibrant, joyful and educational workshop that will benefit any operation.
Not Our Farm is a worker visibility and support project that seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of workers on farms not their own. Visit www.notourfarm.org where you can read stories from workers all over the United States, and get a copy of our worker zine – a guide to working on farms, for workers by workers.
Supporting an Inclusive Workplace Culture
January 24, 4-6 p.m. EST
With Rock Steady Farm
Join the farmers at Rock Steady Farm for a presentation on their workplace culture, farm policies, care focused approach, and on how to build an inclusive workplace on your farm, especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ workers. Additionally, Rock Steady will moderate a panel of some of other inspiring farmers from across the country who will speak on their best practices and lessons learned on farmer rights and workplace culture building. Learn more about Rock Steady Farm’s Pollinate farmer training program for queer, trans, and BIPOC beginning farmers here.
On Farm Communication
February 7, 4-6 p.m. EST
With Apple Creek Farm and University of Maine
Join University of Maine’s farm coaching team members Leslie Forstadt, Human Development specialist and Abby Sadauckas, farmer at Apple Creek Farm for a 2-hour session aimed at improving on-farm communication. During the session you’ll learn about communication essentials, practice skills during break-out groups and how to build a communication plan for your farm.
Employee Retention
February 14, 3-6 p.m. EST
With South Paw Farm
Looking at the case study of South Paw Farm in Freedom Maine, the longstanding crew of this diversified vegetable farm will share their experiences of what keeps them coming back to work year after year. The farm workers and farm owner of South Paw will touch on power dynamics, communication, building shared respect and their culture around conflict. A farmer round table discussion will follow.
Supporting Learning and Empowering Leaders in your Staff
February 28, 4-6 p.m. EST
With Julie Sullivan from San Juan Ranch as well as Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming
Come learn from Julie Sullivan from San Juan Ranch as well as Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming about supporting the learning of your crew and apprentices. We will explore balancing learning and doing while farming, the experiential learning cycle for adult learners, equitable compensation, and how to build respect and investment in your worker to create a more supportive workplace.
