Temp farm work service

jacksonduper · Feb 21, 2011

I'm a teacher who grew up on a dairy farm who still helps my father run his livestock business currently. I have worked over the summers for a number of people but I thought of sending a letter to local farmers offering short term on-call labor on the weekends, over my breaks and in the summer. I have perfomed almost all farm tasks at some point in my life and would come with refs. I would be willing to do everything from fieldwork to possibly milking (not one of my favorites but I have done it) My questions are as follows:

1. Is this something that local farmers may need?

2. What would a good rate be to charge (cash preferred)

Any input on this would be great.

Joe

Nebraska Cowman · Feb 21, 2011

I always thought it would be fun to travel around the country and work for farmers who wanted to take a vacation. Eat their groceries, drive their truck and sleep in their bed. an little cash for clothes and a ride to the next job and I'd be happy. What a way to see the world.

Nebraska Cowman · Feb 21, 2011

I think I'd advertise for "i'll be you for a week so you don't have to" kind of a service.

C.R. · Feb 21, 2011

It is a good idea,but lots of the old farmers I know dont think someone else can(or will) be able to take care of things correctly but if you are a local and the area farmers know you have a good reputation you might make it work Good luck with it if you are a good buessnessman it could be HUGE like qualitemps,only ag related let me know If you open a branch in wisconsin Ill help!

Tom in TN · Feb 21, 2011

Jackson,

I'm just a small-time farmer raising some black Angus cattle. In spite of the fact that my operation is small, I am required to be here 365 days per year to feed, water, and care for my herd and facilities. When I want to be gone for a couple of days, I have to find someone to come to my farm and do the minimum amount of work required to keep things going. Small farmers like me need occassional help for large jobs, but I don't think you'd get enough regular work to make it worth your time.

Large farms though, might very well provide more, regular work for you.

Good luck in your endeavor. I hope that you can find a good customer base.

Tom in TN

Earl Gray · Feb 21, 2011

CASH!!!! I'm sure you plan on paying income tax, SS, etc. No wonder our country is in financial trouble!

RodinNS · Feb 21, 2011

If you can and are willing to do releif milking... I'm sure you'll have no problem finding work, particularly on large farms. That's assuming that there are a fair number of farms left in your area...
Actually... if you wanted a full time herdsman's job... you could probably find tht too. There's guys around here that are forever looking. Some I see are willing to pay 35-40K a year plus a house. Not an entirely bad wage for here but no doubt a lot of hours too.

Rod

gregger · Feb 21, 2011

need to hook up with a custom cutter they need drivers for grain carts , combines , trucks

rrlund · Feb 21, 2011

Go to the County Clerks office and spend $15 for a DBA (doing business as) and get a liability insurance policy. That will allow you to bill the person that you're working for,they can pay you in full without withholding taxes and they'll have the bill so they can deduct the labor. The insurance part is self explainatory. Do both of those,and folks will be a lot more willing to hire you.

kyplowboy · Feb 21, 2011

Just ask around with some of the folks you have worked for in the past, I am sure they would love to put your number in their phone on speed dial. As for the money do it how ever you want but around here casual part time help is $8-$10 hour for knock around farm help, in tobacco good barn help can get $12/hour cash type money.

Dave

paul · Feb 21, 2011

If small dairies are left in your area, always always in demand there! Losing some every year, but you'd be valuable.

Spring & fall tractor drivers are always needed, can be 10-15 an hour depending on your skills.

--->Paul

Buckeye · Feb 21, 2011

You're just the kind of help I'm looking for. Wouldn't happen to live in Southern Ohio, would you?

jacksonduper · Feb 21, 2011

No Southern Wisconsin.

El Toro · Feb 21, 2011

You could probably get a job where they're milking 1200 cows 3 times a day. Milking is done by machine. There's a man from WI that use to post on these forums was a herdsman for one of these operations. They have 3 fulltime 8 hour crews. That's to feed, milk 1200 cows and clean before the next shift takes over. All of the cows are Holstein. They probably also have open heifers, calves and pregnant cows & first calf heifers that are housed that need to be fed and cleaned. Then there are crops to be planted and harvested. We only milked 40 cows and it was a 7 day job. Hal
PS: You probably won't have a problem finding work.

evilboweviel · Feb 21, 2011

I am in Lancaster, Ohio
Where are you at?

Ron

kyhayman · Feb 21, 2011

Around here there would be a demand. Look for 7-8 for cash only, 8-10 if you are willing to take a check and possibly get a 1099 if you get over 600.

kendak · Feb 21, 2011

wish you were around here I need help 2 or 3 times a mounth on Sat. pay $100 cash a day [6 to 10hrs. same pay] plus food & still can't get anybody that wants to work..have to keep a list of people to help me read meters on a small water system...my 2nd. job....most want a pay day but don't want to work...at 63 it's getting harder to squat down & read meters...take care ...Kent

GordoSD · Feb 21, 2011

SD is on average $10/hr off the books.

Buckeye · Feb 21, 2011

Jackson.

Temp farm work service

jacksonduper

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Nebraska Cowman

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Nebraska Cowman

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C.R.

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Tom in TN

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Earl Gray

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RodinNS

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gregger

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rrlund

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kyplowboy

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paul

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Buckeye

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jacksonduper

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El Toro

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evilboweviel

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kyhayman

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kendak

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GordoSD

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Buckeye

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