Give them extra PTO: Now you are probably thinking, "how are we going to get all the work done if we start letting people have more days off?" It is possible, and it will take some planning on your part to put together a strategic plan for the rotations and the missing team members. But put this into perspective when you think that people typically spend over a third of their life at work. They see their coworkers sometimes more than they see their own family. They dedicate their time for you not just for the paycheck, but because they believe in the vision and mission of your company. So, give them the reward of some extra days off during their kids' breaks, a few days to do things that they want to do, especially around the holidays when gatherings become more frequent and days off more requested. This will reduce the instances of employees calling in sick. These free days can allow your employee more time to spend with family or to unwind and relax.

Give them recognition: Praise and recognition are effective workplace motivators. Many employees work harder when they feel appreciated. In turn, workers who feel that they matter and play an important role to the company they work for, are likely to remain on the team. For those team members who prefer being called out and recognized on a big stage you can really appeal to their language if you reward them for their years of service, days of safety or overall performance. Recognizing employees could be as simple as adopting an employee of the month initiative, rewarding employees with gift cards or giving an employee a pat on the back for a good job. This can be done in multiple ways whether in a large group setting, a newsletter or announcement, or by putting their name/face on your social media platforms and commending them for their job well done.

Company lunch/dinner: This is the year that you may not want to host a large holiday party. Instead, hosting farm-specific potluck dinners offsite or onsite enables you to spend less on the food and get more of small group response by the team. This may give you the opportunity to get to know some newer team members and make yourself as a leader more familiar with the team. Every team has its own dynamics but understanding those will help you to lead that specific team in the best way possible. Keep in mind that some farms do not allow outside food to be brought in due to their biosecurity protocols. If that is the case, designate a main office or centrally located area that you can use for these dinners. Take an extra-long lunch break to sit around and chat or even play some games. Give the team some time to let loose and create memories together.

Continued education or training: Through different web platforms, there are plenty of free or low-cost training events that you can offer to your staff to allow them personal development and growth. This is a great way to show your team that you are investing in them and that you want them to learn and grow within your company. What better way to get them engaged than to allow them to learn tasks that will not only help them in their professional lives but also in their personal lives?

Handwritten notes: This can be a very important form of employee recognition. Recognition not only boosts employee engagement, but it also has been found to increase productivity and loyalty, resulting in higher retention. High-fives and callouts in meetings are great, but a thoughtful and personal note will really drive home the sense of appreciation. Employee recognition is an incredibly effective way to reward team members for a job well done, and to increase employee engagement rates. A handwritten note is a sure way to make someone's day.