Project Overview
This project provided valuable input to dairy farm owners and managers on the perspectives of their employees. One bilingual interviewer conducted 145 interviews of dairy employees who called from 10 farms. The project leaders analyzed the survey results and looked for common themes from employees on an individual farm and prepared a report for each farm, then met with the owners and managers to discuss the findings and recommendations for improved management.
Communication is indeed a weak link on many farms; often in the area of standards that employees are expected to meet and feedback on performance. Improved management in this area should increase the engagement of employees. This study provided unique information about employee perspectives. Through the farm’s participation in the project, employees learned that the owners there are interested in what employees say and think and are willing to improve their management. Learning to value employees for the ideas and input they can provide as well as their physical work will help owners achieve greater success.
The plans of the project leaders are to continue and expand the project to more states with more partners and to share the information gained in publications and in Extension meetings.
Number of Participants: 148
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.