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 session - and is full of practical examples and opportunities for farmers to learn with and from one another. Each session also directly considers questions of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, as these factors impact the farm work environment - and workers' experiences - in significant ways. In addition to session recordings, TEAMs participants will have ongoing access to a robust resource library created to provide ongoing learning and support.

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.

“TEAMs is the most effective class I’ve ever taken for honing my communication skills, broadening conflict resolution skills, and for developing actual actionable strategies for cultivating a positive workplace culture. Not only is the information provided relevant and thought provoking, but the session moderators are so warm and encouraging that I honestly have never felt so engaged in a Zoom setting. I have taken TEAMs two years in a row, and each time I felt it has both helped build and reinforce excellent leadership habits." -Doug G., farmworker at Flying Coyote Farm

Dates and Topics

Sessions are recorded and shared with each participant.

• March 4 from 5:00-6:30pm Central Time - Cultivating Inclusive Leadership

• March 11 from 5:00-7:00pm Central Time - Farm Managers as Leaders

• March 18 from 5:00-7:00pm Central Time - Communication and Delegation

• March 25 from 5:00-7:00pm Central Time - Delivering and Receiving Feedback

• April 1 from 5:00-7:00pm Central Time - 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

• Rue Corvid (they/them) - Field Manager at Owl's Nest Farm, MD

• Kaitie Cosmos (she/they) - Food Systems Professional in North Wilkesboro, NC

• 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) - Farm Labor 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.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. This event will be conducted in English.

You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language or format, or other services to make this event more accessible. Contact Sarah Janes Ugoretz at sarah.janesugoretz@wisc.edu or 608-234-1561 by February 11, 2026. There is no added cost to you for these services.