April 2023 - Strategy FINAL - Flipbook - Page 19
Customers
Minnesota, Jony was enrolled
in the FarmTeam training
program for 6 weeks. During
that time, FarmTeam trainers
put him through a rigorous Pig
IQ training program, provided
support as he acclimated to his
new environment, and assisted
him with his U.S. documentation
and banking details. FarmTeam
Coordinator, Giovanna Penuelas
oversees the training program
and notes the importance of
the time spent with new team
members, “Training is not just
about acquiring job skills, we
also try to make the transition to
living in a new country a positive
experience.”
Although Jony didn’t know
a lot about the swine industry
when he arrived, like other
FarmTeam members, he came
with an agricultural-related
education and a desire to learn.
After completing the training
program and placement at
his permanent farm with the
Maurer’s, Jony assumed the
daily responsibilities of the
barns. “Having a FarmTeam
member allows us to dedicate a
lot of time and care to the health
of our pigs, and that has paid off
big for us,” states Preston. Jony
agrees, “I accepted the position
as FarmTeam because it really
is an area of great interest. You
have many responsibilities on
the farm, and you are like your
own farm boss. I really learn a
lot in this area.”
CHALLENGES
Of course, inviting an
individual from another country
and culture to live and work in
your operation day after day
does present challenges. But,
both Rick and Preston agree
they pale in comparison to the
benefits. “It is a big learning
curve for them when they come
here, as well as, for us, to get
used to them, them to get used
to us, and the job. But it has met
our expectations. It’s just a good
fit,” stated Rick. “The language
barrier is definitely a challenge,
both ways - it is for Jony and
it is for us. We’ve learned the
biggest key is patience. We
use translation apps on our
phones to help bridge the
gap. Having someone here
from a completely different
environment, and seeing them
change and grow as Jony has, is
really fun.”
Together, the team at Maurer
Farms is off and running, the
Maurer family has encouraged
Jony to take a college English
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