The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and the Dairy Business Association invite farm managers and owners to explore how business culture influences success during challenging times on Aug. 12 at Rosy-Lane Holsteins near Watertown, Wis.

Today’s challenging business environment requires organizations to grow a healthy business culture in order to be successful. While culture may not be something talked about on the farm, your organization’s culture speaks loudly of your business. 

“An organization’s culture is rooted in its values, vision, goals, beliefs and relationships — trust and how individuals work together,” Simon Jette-Nantel, Extension farm management specialist at UW-River Falls. “These are the guiding principles which affect the success of business strategy and all who work for it. A positive, healthy culture translates into high productivity, creativity and low employee turnover.”

How does one grow a healthy business culture? How does one define their own business culture? Paul Scharfman, president of Specialty Cheese Co. Inc. of Reeseville, Wis., will describe how a cultural shift in business values influenced his company’s ability to recruit and retain employees. Jordan Matthews, herdsman, and Daphne Holterman, owner of Rosy-Lane Holsteins, will discuss their business culture and how it helps navigate challenging times and defines their farm as an “employer of choice.” Jette-Nantel will define what it means to have a healthy business culture. A farmer speaker panel will discuss agriculture labor.

The Dairy Business Association is partnering with Extension in supporting this program for farmers. Farmers, like many other industries, are facing challenges regarding employee recruitment and retention. Educational workshops like this are critical in helping provide farmers with strategies for success in becoming employers of choice.

There is no charge to attend this program hosted by Rosy-Lane Holsteins, W3855 Ebenezer Drive, Watertown. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with introductions by Rosy-Lane Holsteins at 10 a.m. Morning speakers will be followed by lunch and a farmer panel, sponsored by Dairy Business Association and Landmark Cooperative. The program will conclude at 2:30 p.m. An optional farm tour will be available at 8:30 a.m.

For more information and to register for the program, contact Jim Versweyveld, Extension Walworth County agriculture educator, at 262-741-4962 or [email protected].

Source: UW-Madison Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.