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Hiring Help for Aging Farmers

Hiring help can let an older farmer keep the farm going while stepping back from the hardest tasks. It also brings responsibilities for training, supervision and following the rules.

When does hiring make sense?

If tasks are piling up, if some jobs have become risky or if your energy has changed, extra hands can help. Seasonal peaks, such as planting or harvest, are common times to bring someone in. Hiring is also a chance to bring in fresh eyes. A new person may notice hazards that have become invisible to you.

Think about whether you need a full-time worker, a seasonal one, a custom operator or a neighbor who helps for a few hours.

Define the need before you search.

• Seasonal peaks
• Tasks that have become risky
• Reduced energy
• A need for a second set of hands

How do you decide which jobs to give away?

Start with the work that is most hazardous or physically demanding for you. Keep the jobs that fit your skill and energy. Write a short job description so that both of you know what is expected. Being clear at the start prevents confusion later about who is responsible for what.

Be clear about what the person should not do until trained, such as operating certain equipment or handling livestock.

Ask the worker what training or experience they already have, and verify it with a short, supervised trial of the task.

• Work at height or in confined spaces
• Heavy lifting
• Long equipment hours
• Handling difficult animals
• Spraying or chemical handling

What does safe onboarding look like?

New workers, even experienced ones, do not know your farm. Walk them through hazards, emergency plans, meeting points, shutoffs and equipment. Show how each machine is used and where the manual is kept. Write down the safety rules in plain language and keep a copy where the worker can find it, in a language they understand.

Supervise at first and let the person show you they can do a task safely before working alone. Encourage questions and make it easy to say I am not sure.

Use the manufacturer's manuals and recognized training programs as the basis for instruction.

• Hazards and emergency plans
• Shutoffs and meeting points
• Equipment operation and manuals
• Supervised practice before working alone

What labor rules apply?

Employment rules, including those for pay, hours, youth workers, overtime, housing and transportation, depend on the job, the worker, your state and the size of your operation. Confirm what applies to you with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and your state labor agency. Keep records of hours, pay and any agreements, since good records protect both you and the worker.

Youth work in agriculture has special rules. Do not assume a family or neighborhood arrangement is exempt. Check before you hire.

• Pay and hours
• Youth work in agriculture
• Housing and transportation
• Overtime rules

What about insurance and liability?

Ask your insurance agent how hired help affects your coverage, including workers' compensation and liability. Requirements vary by state and situation. Do not guess.

If the person gets hurt, you need to know what to do next. Keep emergency numbers and a plan, and call 911 in an emergency.

Keep copies of important paperwork in a safe place and review it with your agent at least once a year.

• Workers' compensation
• Liability coverage
• Emergency contacts for the worker

How do you build a good working relationship?

Respect goes both ways. Pay on time, give clear instructions, allow for rest and listen to concerns. A good worker who feels respected is more likely to stay and speak up about hazards. If a worker raises a safety concern, thank them and act on it. A farm where people feel safe speaking up is a safer farm.

As the farmer ages, regular conversations about roles and expectations help everyone adjust.

Hold a short safety talk at the start of each season, and use it to review changes in equipment, fields or animals.

• Pay on time
• Give clear instructions
• Allow rest
• Listen to safety concerns

Where can you find help finding help?

Extension offices, farm business programs and labor agencies can point to resources. Some AgrAbility projects can advise on adapting tasks so that a hired person can support you. Availability varies by state. Take time to interview and check references. A careful hire protects the farm, the worker and you.

Check references and be cautious about arrangements that seem too good to be true.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.