What’s New: Bringing DEI to the Farm
“Farm leaders know that in a tight labour market, policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will help them attract and retain the best talent. Those not making headway on these critical issues will be left behind.” Helen Lammers-Helps provides this advice to the farming community in the article titled Bringing DEI to the Farm featured in Country Guide.
Emerging trends in research show that diversity is increasing in rural communities and there is a case for farm businesses to develop and implement strategies and practices to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Thomas Sasso, Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph states that “It is essential that farms and rural businesses are proactively prepared for creating an inclusive environment for a more diverse community,”
Sasso shares tips for successfully implementing DEI on the farm including:
“Be intentional: Think through the ideas and initiatives. Know why you want to implement these policies.
Start small: Make your goals manageable for your organization and your community.
Communicate: Explain what DEI means to your farm and community.
Choose the right pace: This will depend on the individual business but if you go too slow, people will get frustrated because they won’t see an impact. If you go too fast, some people will feel left behind, which can create anxiety. Try to keep a steady pace.”
From my lived experience the efforts of the farming community to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion are evident. We could all learn from some of the authentic and focused approaches adopted by some farming and rural communities.
To read this article in its entirety, click here.