When you’re running a farm, there’s always another job to do.

The cows need milking. Equipment needs maintenance. Records need updating. When there’s always another job waiting, it’s easy to focus on today and put tomorrow on hold. 

But spending a few minutes thinking ahead can save time, stress and frustration down the road. 

Ask yourself: 

• If you had to be away from the farm for a week, would someone else know what to do? 
• If one of your best employees left tomorrow what knowledge would leave with them? 
• Does everyone know their responsibilities, or do they rely on you for every decision? 
• If a new employee started tomorrow, would they know where to begin? 

If you found yourself answering, “I’m not sure,” you’re not alone. 

Many dairy producers face the same challenges. Looking ahead doesn’t have to mean creating a complicated plan. Small steps like clarifying responsibilities, sharing knowledge and documenting key tasks can help make daily operations run more smoothly too. 

Sometimes it’s having a conversation with a family member about future plans. Sometimes it’s taking the time to train an employee on a task instead of assuming they’ll figure it out. Sometimes it’s simply writing down information that’s been stored in your head for years. The good news is you don’t have to tackle it all at once. 

That’s where AgHR comes in. 

Human Resources for BC’s Agriculture Employers (AgHR) is a free, confidential service for BC agriculture employers. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, trying to retain a valued team member, managing a workplace challenge or planning for the future of your farm, our HR Advisors can help. 

You don’t need to know the HR terms or have a formal plan before reaching out. Bring us your questions, your challenges or a situation you’d like to work through, and we’ll help you figure out the next step. 

Connect with an HR Advisor.