There are more agriculture and food production jobs than workers willing to fill them – a situation exacerbated by COVID restrictions. However, employers of all sizes have gotten creative in ways to overcome their hiring and retention struggles. 

Agri-Pulse examines this complex topic in a new five-part series, “The Great Farm and Food Talent Search.” Each of the five segments will be released weekly on Agri-Pulse.com through the week of Sept. 4. 

“We consistently hear from employers about their difficulties sourcing, training and developing qualified employees within the farm and food industries post-pandemic,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse founder and editor. “They’ve had to reevaluate perks and benefits for employees on and off the farm, in addition to how advancements in technology might be the solution.”

In the first article, “Finding good help is always tough. In agriculture, it's getting tougher,” the Agri-Pulse editorial team looks at demographic and cultural factors resulting in fewer workers available to meet the demands of the current labor force. 

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Agri-Pulse editors spoke with producers, researchers, agricultural groups, technology companies, government officials, hiring job boards and others. Future installments will look at developing the next generation of workers, immigration policies, employee compensation and technology.

Sponsors include Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta.

About Agri-Pulse: Agri-Pulse Communications is the most trusted source for farm and rural policy information. With offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, Calif., and Camdenton, Mo. we provide a balanced perspective on a wide variety of issues including the farm bill, nutrition, trade, labor, food safety, water, environment, biotechnology, organic, conservation and crop insurance. Agri-Pulse publishes a subscription-only e-newsletter, the Agri-Pulse Daily Harvest early morning news summary, Agri-Pulse Daybreak, Agri-Pulse DriveTime podcast, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers and breaking news on www.Agri-Pulse.com.