Drew Grundmeyer joins this What’s Working in Ag segment to discuss Harvest Ready, a hands-on training program designed to help address agriculture’s labor shortage by preparing new operators with the basic skills, safety knowledge, and confidence needed to assist during harvest and other critical farm seasons.
In this episode of What’s Working in Ag, Tanner, Corey, and David sit down with Drew Grundmeyer, founder of Harvest Ready, to discuss a practical solution to one of farming’s most persistent problems: labor. Drew shares how his background in education and farming inspired him to create a training program that helps prepare people for real-world farm work before they ever climb into a tractor or grain cart.
Harvest Ready combines classroom instruction, safety training, equipment familiarization, and hands-on experience to help participants develop the foundational skills needed to support farm operations during harvest. The goal isn’t to create expert operators overnight—it’s to build confidence, improve safety, and provide farmers with a pool of trained individuals who understand the basics of agricultural equipment and harvest logistics.
Topics discussed include:
Whether you're a farmer looking for reliable help, a student interested in agriculture, or someone wanting to gain hands-on farm experience, this conversation highlights an innovative approach to strengthening the agricultural workforce and helping operations stay productive during their busiest seasons.