B+LNZ has updated its Employment Hub, bringing together practical tools and resources to help farm employers build and support a strong team.
Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ’s National Extension Programme Manger, says building a strong team is one of the biggest drivers of a successful sheep and beef business, but it can also be one of the tougher parts to get right.
“Farmers today are wearing a lot of hats. Alongside running the farm, they’re also managing people, systems and more. We heard clearly that farmers want more support to get the most from their people, and that’s where the Employment Hub comes in.
“It pulls together practical, easy-to-use resources to help farmers through each step, whether it’s hiring someone for the first time or managing a more established team.”
The update was shaped by extensive farmer input, with support from the former Muka Tangata (Workforce Development Council for the food and fibre sector, now disestablished) team helping identify gaps and improve how the Hub is structured.
The focus is on what farmers need most – simple, step-by-step resources that are easy to find and easy to use.
Access the B+LNZ Employment Hub
Popular resources among farmers
The refreshed B+LNZ Employment Hub has already seen strong uptake, with more than 560 views since launching in March.
Weatherburn says the early usage reflects the demand for simple, practical support farmers can apply straight away.
The refreshed B+LNZ Employment Hub has already seen steady use from farmers looking for straightforward, practical advice across the full employment journey.
“So far, we’re seeing the most interest in understanding roles on farm and career pathways, recruitment and selection, and staff management, especially building strong working relationships.”
There’s also consistent use of resources focused on onboarding, wellbeing, and ongoing learning and development – reflecting the need to support staff right through their time on farm.
Supporting the full employment journey
The Hub brings together resources across six key areas:
- Understanding roles on farm
- Recruiting and selecting the right people
- Bringing new staff on board
- Managing and supporting your team
- Building skills through learning and development
- Supporting staff wellbeing
“Whether you’re taking on your first employee or managing a larger team, the aim is to make each step clearer and more manageable,” Weatherburn says.
Ask Bella for quick answers
Farmers can also access this information through Bella, B+LNZ’s AI-powered assistant, which pulls relevant guidance directly from the trusted Knowledge Hub.
That means you can quickly find what you need – whether it’s writing a job description, setting up an employment agreement, or figuring out how to support a new staff member.
Ongoing improvements
B+LNZ’s Employment Hub will continue to evolve, with new resources added over time based on farmer feedback and what’s working on farm.
B+LNZ is keen to hear from farmers about what’s useful, what’s missing, and what would make managing staff easier.
Please get in touch with [email protected].