Presenting the latest issue of Rural Builder Green, where builders, roofers, architects and contractors discover the latest innovations to help them keep up with sustainable issues and products.

Three contractors tell how they find and keep good workers

Michigan roofer Dan Perkins admits, it's a challenge keeping order around the shop, in the trailers and in the trucks. Fortunately, he's got reliable crews who maintain organization.

Amish builders, at least in Pennsylvania, have a reputation for high quality and efficient work. When asked about that, Sylvan Stoltzfus says he doesn’t think Amish building companies are any different from any other post-frame building companies. But, he concedes, the Amish have a different work ethic and it creates a different type of labor pool. But it is the type of work ethic other general contractors value and will seek out for subcontracting work.

It's fun to get away from home and travel to a trade show, but more importantly, it's an investment in your business. If you're armed with a good plan and a complete strategy, you can learn a lot — and still leave some time for fun.