Why Hiring in Agriculture Is Broken (And How to Fix It)
When it comes to careers in agriculture, the stakes are high — and the turnover is faster than ever. In this episode, Joe Sampson sits down with Mark Waschek, President of Ag One Source, to pull back the curtain on why so many ag hires fail and how companies can start getting it right.
For more than two decades, Mark has led recruitment across all facets of agribusiness. He's reviewed more resumes than a parts catalog has listings and knows exactly where things go wrong in the hiring process.
Resumes Don’t Tell the Whole Story
While job descriptions are often focused on skills, that’s only one piece of the puzzle. According to Mark, successful hires align on four key pillars:
Culture
Style
Performance Expectations
Skills
Unfortunately, most hiring managers only focus on the fourth.
“You can have the top salesperson from your competitor on paper — and still have a total failure,” Mark says.
Culture Is the Hidden Landmine
When asked to describe their company culture, most executives struggle. And even when they can, their version often differs wildly from what employees at other levels experience. Misaligned expectations on things like communication style, decision-making, and conflict resolution are some of the most common — and overlooked — dealbreakers.
Why Employees Really Leave
Mark shares a compelling stat: While 90% of managers think employees leave for money, nearly the same percentage of employees say it was because of their supervisor.
In other words, it’s not always about compensation — it’s about trust, leadership, and respect.
The Onboarding Trap
Companies often spend thousands recruiting the right candidate only to sabotage their success within the first two weeks. Why? Poor onboarding.
“Most people decide within 10 days whether they see their new job as short-term or long-term,” Mark reveals.
A thoughtful onboarding process — one that focuses on culture and clarity, not just rules — can prevent premature disengagement and save thousands in rehiring costs.
The AI Factor
Will AI replace recruiters? Mark doesn’t think so.
Like Excel did for accountants, AI is a tool that will enhance — not eliminate — the hiring process. But one thing AI will never do is build trust, form relationships, or help leaders align deeply with talent.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a CEO trying to solve turnover or a talented professional looking for your next chapter, the principles Mark shares in this episode are universal.
Focus on alignment, clarity, trust — and the rest will follow.
Want to connect with Mark or explore your next move in agriculture?
