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Farmer turns to automation as labor challenges grow

Finding, training, and retaining quality workers continues to be a challenge in the agriculture industry.

Faced with labor shortages on his northwest Ohio farm, Lou Kozma turned to automation.

But, Kozma says that led to a new set of issues.

“Now we’re seeing this automation of man power and machine power working together, which is a good thing but brings on another caveat, which is you have to have the people who have the ability to understand, operate, and maintain this automated equipment” he says.

Kozma is president of Hirzel Farms. The operation includes vegetable production, including certified organic production, tomato processing, a grain facility, and a compost operation.

He says more must be done to attract and retain qualified workers.

Kozma participated in a Farm Foundation Forum in Ohio.