It’s easy to wait until the last minute to think about hiring temporary employees for the growing season, especially with cold weather still in full force. But if you run a farm or a food processing facility in Oregon, whether a berry processing facility in the Willamette Valley or a vegetable farm in the Portland metro area, forecast growing season staffing needs now in order to prep for your busiest time of year.
Considering your staffing needs early and avoiding last-minute requests means you can focus on operational issues and stay on schedule.
Benefits of Forecasting Growing Season Staffing
- Assistance with ramp-up. You’ll have temporary employees at the ready to prepare your operation for the growing season.
- Access to qualified employees. Whether you need general laborers, production workers, CDL drivers, operators, mechanics, or other workers, forecasting early means connecting with qualified employees before they’ve accepted other positions. Agriculture/food processing experience is an important factor to consider in the hiring process. Candidates with prior experience will likely require less training and already have knowledge of safety best practices.
- Avoiding crunch-time needs. Finding employees at the last minute is often challenging, but especially during growing season. And trying to hire at the eleventh hour can mean lost work time and productivity.
Anticipate your staffing levels before the growing season starts, and begin the process of onboarding qualified employees, to make the 2014 growing season one of your most productive and successful yet. Contact DPI today to learn more about how we can partner to meet your staffing needs this growing season.