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Agricultural Labour Force Study 2010 - Farmers: Brant, Elgin, Middlesex, Norfolk and Oxford

2.Farm Labor Force Survey: Norfolk, Brant, Elgin, Middlesex & Oxford Counties

This questionnaire is for farmers and companies or co-operatives that operate farms. It should be completed by a farmer, farm operator/manager who is directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm and/or company. The information provided is strictly confidential. We thank you very much for completing the survey.
1.If you want your name to be entered into a draw for an I-Pod please provide your mailing address below:
2.Please indicate where your Farm/Business is located
3.How would you categorize your farming occupation?
Primary Occupation
Secondary Occupation
Other
Farm Operator1
Farm Operator2
Spouse/Farm Operator
Spouse
4.Please indicate Gender and Age Group of family members directly involved in the operation
Male
Female
15-19
20-24
25-34
34-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-85
Farmer/Operator
Spouse/Farmer/Operator
Children (over 15 yrs)
Children (over 15 yrs)
5.Please indicate education level of family members directly involved in the operation
No High School
High School
Trade/College (2yrs or less)
College/University (4yrs or more)
Farmer
Farm Operator
Spouse/farmer
Children (over 15 yrs)
Children (over 15 yrs)
6.Please indicate your major field of training/study:
7.What type of commodities/products do you produce (please indicate type of crops, vegetables, flowers, livestock, poultry, honey and maple, fruit and nut trees)
8.Do you have any value added products?
9.Do you have any plans for expansion in the near future (1-2 years from now)?
10.Which commodities/products (crops, livestock, vegetables, fruit trees and nut trees) do you believe have great potential for growth in your area/county and why?
11.What are the main marketing channels for your commodities/products?
Marketing Board
Farm-Gate
Farmers Market
Retail Outlet
Export Market
Auction
Other
Crops
Vegetables
Fruits
Livestock (cattle, sheep, lamb)
Dairy
Poultry
12.Total number of employees (please write the number of workers in each category):
13.Please indicate the number of employees for each category and their corresponding age group:-(Under 24), (25-34), (35-44), (45-54), (55-64), (65-74) & (over 75)) of Full- & Part-time employee occupations for your farm operations: Example, Farmers/Farm Managers 1 (34-44)
14.Please indicate the entry level hourly wage for occupations that apply to your farm operations, if you outsource any of the services please indicate the rate of pay per hour: (e.g. Farm Manager-($25/hr)
15.Do you have any current training needs (for you & your employees) and in what area(s)?
16.What are your major sources of training?
Owner of business/Farm Operator
Skilled Workers
Unskilled Workers
On-the-job
Out-sourced
Trade schools
College/University
Company HR/training staff
Apprenticeship
Workshops
Use of experienced company/farm employees
17.What are some of the barriers and problems you and your employees face in accessing training?
Owner of business/Farm Operator
Skilled Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Lack of funds
Cost too high
Shortage of training personnel
Heavy work load
Training time frame too long
Training not available locally
Training not offered at convenient time
Lack of transportation
18.Do you have difficulties in hiring and/or finding the right skills/workers for your operation(s)?
19.Do you have problems retaining (keeping) workers?
20.Do you offer any apprenticeship programs?
21.Do you have somebody to succeed you when you retire?
22.What are the current issues and concerns your farm/business is facing?
23.How satisfied are you with the current marketing arrangements for your commodities/products?
24.Have you been involved in any government programs?
25.If your answer to the question above is yes, how satisfied are you or were you with the services of the program(s)?
26.Are there any government programs or compliance regulations affecting your business?
27.What do you think the government should do with the current farming issues and concerns facing the farming communities/businesses/sector (what are your views & suggestions)?
28.Any additional comments?