Nebraska Agronomist Builds Tool to Help Farmers Find Reliable Labor

Why It Matters

By streamlining access to qualified farm labor, FarmHand on Demand helps producers cut operational delays, lower costs, and sustain productivity amid a nationwide agricultural workforce shortage.

Key Takeaways

• FarmHand on Demand connects Nebraska farms with vetted labor.
• Three-tier pricing offers free worker access and paid employer plans.
• Platform includes seasonal field workers and ancillary roles like accounting.
• Early adoption shows steady growth but marketing remains a challenge.
• Transparent job postings and advance hiring improve farm ROI and safety.

Summary

The interview introduces FarmHand on Demand, an online marketplace launched by Nebraska agronomist Ashley Babel to match farms with reliable labor. Prompted by her family’s struggle to find seasonal help, Babel built a platform that lets workers list skills—from combine operators to accountants—and lets employers post jobs or browse profiles. Key features include a free tier for workers, a pay‑as‑you‑go option for employers, a $150‑monthly subscription that waives posting fees, and an optional background‑check add‑on. The service launched on February 13 and has attracted a mix of traditional farm hands and ancillary professionals, reflecting broader demand for both seasonal field labor and support roles. Babel highlights early feedback: farmers appreciate the ag‑specific focus, while the local economic development agency notes out‑of‑state job seekers would have used the site years ago. She cites her father’s transition from a full‑time job to a spraying business as an example of how the platform can smooth labor gaps during slow periods. The platform promises to reduce downtime, improve safety, and boost ROI by enabling farms to hire ahead of peak seasons and retain skilled workers. As farms adopt more complex technology, such targeted labor marketplaces could become essential infrastructure for the agricultural sector.

Original Description

Ashley Babl is a Nebraska agronomist who farms with her father and grandfather. Their struggles finding quality farm labor led her to create a new online platform that connects farmers and farmhands.

Get the magazine:

• Subscribe to Successful Farming: https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/MR/SFG/Qualification-Page-7.jsp?cds_page_id=166174&cds_mag_code=SFG&id=1755533839487&lsid=52301117194013836&vid=1&cds_response_key=I47GOON62

Listen to the podcast:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-farming-podcast/id1176192313

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6K08lEwDCzpBl9MJnUZxny

Stay connected with us:

• Website: https://www.agriculture.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successful_farming/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessfulFarmingUSA

• More shows: Successful Farming Podcast Network: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/successful-farming-audio/id6739261022

ABOUT SUCCESSFUL FARMING

Successful Farming is dedicated to making farmers successful. Get the news and information that can help you make money, save time, and grow your farming business.