National HR study gathers workforce insights from agriculture employers
AgCareers is encouraging agriculture and food employers across the United States to participate in the 2026-2027 Agriculture and Food HR Review. The study is designed to collect important workforce information and provide industry leaders with valuable human resources insights.
The HR Review gathers data directly from employers to better understand key workforce issues affecting the agriculture and food sectors. Topics covered include hiring challenges, compensation practices, employee retention, workforce development, workplace flexibility, artificial intelligence tools, and other human resources priorities.
"Strong workforce decisions begin with strong industry data," said Mary Barefoot, Manager of Research & Insights, AgCareers. "By participating in the HR Review, employers are contributing to a collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping our industry. The more organizations that participate, the more meaningful and powerful the insights become for everyone."
The information collected helps create industry benchmarks that organizations can use to evaluate and improve their workforce strategies. Employers can compare their practices with broader industry trends and make better decisions related to talent acquisition, employee engagement, and business growth.
According to AgCareers, participation in the review helps build a stronger understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry. The study aims to create a reliable source of workforce data that can support informed planning and long-term success.
Recent findings from previous reviews show that attracting and retaining skilled employees remains a major concern for many agriculture and food businesses. Employers also continue to focus on company culture, competitive compensation, employee benefits, professional development, and flexible work environments to strengthen their workforce.
The industry remains optimistic about future growth, but organizations also face challenges such as labor shortages, inflation, and increased competition for talent. Reliable workforce information can help employers respond to these issues more effectively and prepare for future demands.
By contributing to the HR Review, employers support the development of industry-wide insights that benefit both individual organizations and the agricultural sector. The collected data helps identify workforce trends, evaluate employee benefits programs, benchmark compensation practices, and improve overall human resource planning.
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