The American workforce shortage has been covered extensively since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, which literally brought the U.S. and global economies to a standstill.
Ever since, workforce shortages are still impacting every industry despite significant economic growth – and agriculture is no exception.
Here in central North Dakota, where agriculture is the life blood of the local economy, local businesses and operations are struggling to find help.
“Labor is a huge, huge thing for any sector of the economy, especially ag,” said Jeff Schafer, a local rancher and owner of Roughrider Feeds.
“I don’t know of anybody that isn’t looking for help,” he added. “They just had on the radio today: if the right person came to you and was looking to help, would you create a position for them? and the answer was yes.”
Regarding himself, Schafer said they’re always short on help and on the lookout for qualified workers.
“I don’t want to take anything away from the employees we have, but when you’re as diversified as we are, you’re always looking for extra people, extra hands,” he explained.
Schafer said he could use help with anything from grain farming to the livestock and feedlot side of things, and he isn’t the only one in the market for workers, nor is the worker shortage in agriculture limited to ranching and feeding operations.
Jeff Barton, owner of Barton Meats in Carrington, also said they’re on the lookout for some additional help. He added, however, that much of the battle is also about keeping their existing workers. Barton said he’s had to increase salaries and take other steps in order to keep the workers they have.
For now, he said they’re getting by with what they’ve got, and simply have to adjust their workload for the amount of help they have on hand – but more workers would certainly help them out. Currently, he said they’re backed up about a year when it comes to filling beef orders.
Both Barton and Schafer encouraged anyone looking for work to reach out and ask about the opportunities and positions available.
Meanwhile, one of the causes believed to be impacting the worker shortage, is a general decrease in interest in agriculture among younger people. And some businesses are taking an active role in reversing that trend.
For example, Leading Edge Equipment – a John Deere dealership based out of Michigan, N.D. – has been promoting unique ways to get the younger generation involved with agriculture.
High school students are offered internships, co-op opportunities, part-time work and even job shadowing, all in the name of building interest in the agricultural industry at a young age.
In January of 2022, members of the integrated solutions team at Leading Edge talked to NR-S students about opportunities at the dealership, and were even allowed to operate their combine simulator.
Leading Edge has also partnered with the North Dakota State College of Science to offer a 2-year associate of applied science degree program.
According to their website, “With $20,000 in scholarships and $20,188 in tuition reimbursement, $40,188 of your education could be covered– 100% of the costs! You’ll get paid for your training time at the dealership. And when you graduate, you’ll have a career ahead of you at Leading Edge Equipment.”
Such programs are helping students all across the midwest get involved in agriculture, and hopefully realize the potential careers that could be ahead of them.