b'FROM OUR DESKFall 2023 - Vol. 20, No. 4Changing the Hired Advancing the Canadian Potato IndustryPUBLISHED BY:SEED WORLD GROUP Hand Job Description 6327435 Canada Ltd.200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0Phone: 204-453-1965, Fax: 204-475-5247Email: [email protected] I STARTED covering the potato industry with SpudPUBLISHERSmart, I was surprised by the number of staff potato farmsShawn [email protected]. I grew up on a small mixed cattle and grain farm myself,EDITORand while I know some similar farms now employ a handful ofAshley [email protected] themselves, that wasnt the case on my familys farm. We had aDIRECTOR OF CONTENThired hand a few times over the years when circumstances out of ourMadeleine [email protected] required extra help, but for the most part our seasonal workMANAGING EDITORASHLEY ROBINSON,requirements were handled by neighbours helping neighbours.Michelle [email protected] Smart editor My idea of a hired hand didnt leave much to be desired thoughADVERTISING SALESfrom what I had saw growing up. I thought of it as a low payingCraig [email protected] Aiden [email protected] position with wild hours during busy seasons with no perks orDean [email protected] coverage. Lets just say I was surprised in a good way whenSam [email protected] Camps and Bryan Maynard shared all they do for theirMARKETINGemployees in The Changing Face of Ag Labour feature story onCharlene [email protected] 6 to 13. Laura [email protected] Potato growers are providing their employees with a wealth ofTheresa Ramsoomair [email protected] that put them on paror even above in some casesofCREATIVEwhat many, myself included, traditionally thought only office jobsLesley Nakonechny, Kyle Dratowanyprovided. These farms see the importance of treating their seasonalDIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER employees with the same respect and benefits they themselves wouldRebecca [email protected] for doing any work. CIRCULATIONThese employers also understand this can result in the retentionDean [email protected] skilled employees. Working on the feature I quickly learned CONTRIBUTORSfor the potato industry at leastthe issue isnt finding labour, butElaine Froese, Ellen Kouwenberg, Eugenia Banks, and Kevin Elmyinstead finding skilled labour and retaining it. Its no secret that theEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDChad Berry, Darin Gibson, Greg Donald, Rick D. Peters, Scott Canadian agriculture industry is facing a labour crisis, as theresGraham, Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, Peter VanderZaagbeen numerous headlines in recent years decrying the labour issues.SUBSCRIPTIONSWhat I discovered working on this story is that theres more to thatSpud Smart is published four times a year.headline than meets the eye. To subscribe, please email [email protected] issue isnt the lack of potential employees for these roles,Canadian subscription rate is: $45.00/year plus GST. but rather the potential candidates may lack the necessary skills.International subscription rate is CDN$110.00/year.Moreover, and perhaps even more notable, some people perceive PRINTED IN CANADAPlease recycle where facilities exist.working on a farm as unattractive, an opinion I once shared. PossibleNo part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written farm employees think theyll be working crazy hours with no setpermission of the publisher. schedule, wont receive any benefits and wont be able to take offSpud Smart makes no expressed or implied warranties of the time as they need or want. However, thats not the case on mostmechantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, modern large farms which is why I think those in the agricultureconcerning the use of any product and assumes no liability for any injury or damage, direct or consequential, incurred from the use of industry need to do a better job sharing the realities of being asuch products or services therein. Federal, provincial and municipal modern hired hand. laws and regulations supersede the information contained within. I had no idea of what working as an employee on a farm nowPublications Mail Agreement No. 40030841.includes. Working on this story changed my view immensely andReturn undeliverable Canadian addresses to:now I want to recommend that people who enjoy working with theirSeed World Grouphands and want to be outside during their workdays should look200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0into getting an on-farm job. I know of so many people who grewPRIVACY CODEup spending summers working on their extended familys farm andTo view our privacy policy, visit spudsmart.com.said they wanted to farm themselves but didnt have the resources SPUDSMART@SPUDSMARTMAG to. Understanding now what a hired hand does I think it could be the right fit for them and still give them the work/life balance they deserve. Farmers should be going to career days and sharing why kidsWe acknowledge the [financial] support should say they want to grow up to be a hired hand.of the Government of Canada.2SPUDSMART.COMFall 2023'