National Dairy FARM Workforce Development Evaluation Tool Available for Comment
January 7, 2020
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, the dairy industry’s on-farm quality assurance program, released a proposed Workforce Development evaluation tool for input from industry stakeholders with comments accepted through January 20.
FARM Workforce Development (WFD) is the FARM Program’s newest initiative. It focuses on human resources and safety management and has brought together stakeholders from the entire dairy value chain to create educational materials for U.S. dairy owners and managers.
FARM WFD is developing an on-farm evaluation tool that FARM Participants can choose to implement with their dairy producers. The tool is meant to help farms:
- learn about HR and safety management best practices;
- identify which best practices will be most useful to implement on their farm; and
- track improvement over time.
Also, by performing on-farm evaluations, FARM Participants can provide important assurances to supply chain customers: our dairy buyers and retailers.
The evaluation tool was developed in consultation with the FARM WFD Task Force and Working Group members, along with subject matter expert input.
FARM is getting direct feedback from dairy producers through a pilot program that runs through the end this year. Nine cooperatives have volunteered to test the evaluation tool to solicit feedback. About 60 dairy producers are participating from across the cooperatives. Public comment will complement the pilot.
After the comment period ends, FARM staff, the WFD Task Force and the NMPF Executive Committee will review and consider revisions based upon the comments, then present a final proposed evaluation tool for approval by the NMPF Board of Directors in March. The FARM Program encourages all those involved in the dairy supply chain to participate. To review the draft evaluation tool and provide feedback, please visit this link.
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