TEAMs: Training and Education for Aspiring Managers

Hired farm managers play a crucial role on diversified vegetable farms. While having their production, maintenance, and organizational skills dialed in is a major part of the job, farm managers do so much more. They motivate and lead other employees, they support a positive workplace environment, and they help address conflict - all while working closely with the farm employer to support a sustainable farm business. This online series was created in partnership with farm managers - who are also co-trainers on each of the four sessions - and is full of practical examples and opportunities for farmers to learn with and from one another.

A limited number of scholarships are available for farm employees requesting financial assistance. Please contact Sarah (sjanes@wisc.edu) for additional information.

For farm employers investing in professional development for their crews, discounted registration is available when registering more than one employee for TEAMs. Please note: you will be prompted to provide employees' email addresses during checkout for communication purposes.

"The TEAMs program gave me confidence in the leadership skills I already had, taught me new tools for handling conflicts, and gave me common language to use with our Assistant Farm Manager. We learned what each other's management styles were, how we like to make decisions, and how we handle conflict. Since the training, our team has run smoother, and we are able to understand and respect each other's styles and lean on each other's strength. I would recommend TEAMs to any farm manager and I would encourage management teams to take the training together!" -Jessica H., Farm Manager in Alabama

Dates and Topics (sessions are delivered via Zoom in Central Time and will be recorded):

• Pre-recorded session shared ahead of time: Cultivating Inclusive Leadership
• March 5 from 5:30-7:30pm CT - Farm Managers as Leaders
• March 12 from 5:30-7:30pm CT - Communication and Delegation
• March 19 from 5:30-7:30pm CT - Delivering and Receiving Feedback
• March 26 from 5:30-7:30pm CT - Recognizing and Addressing Conflict

Training Team:

• Sarah Bell (she/her) - Farmer and Advocate, AL
• Abby Benson (she/her) - Field Production Manager at Featherstone Farm, MN
• Kaitie Cosmos (she/they) - Food Systems Professional in North Wilkesboro, NC
• Rue Policastro (they/them) - Field Manager at Owl's Nest Farm, MD
• Federica Ranelli (she/her) - Farm Manager at Rooted -Troy Farm, WI
• Fresh Roberson (they/she) - Farming Chef at Fresher Together, IL
• Katie Willis (she/her) - Farm Manager at Jones Valley Teaching Farm, AL
• Sarah Janes Ugoretz (she/her) - Diversified Vegetable Educator at UW-Extension Dane County & FairShare, WI

TEAMs is a joint program of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and FairShare CSA Coalition. Visit the TEAMs website for more information about the program.

Please note that this training is exclusively for hired farm employees. If you are a farm employer interested in similar training, check out our Becoming the Employer of Choice website.

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

To ensure equal access to programs, please make requests for reasonable accommodations as early as possible and at least 10 business days prior to the program. To request an accommodation, including language interpretation, contact: Sarah Janes Ugoretz at sjanes@wisc.edu or 608-235-1561.