A lot has changed since Victor Martinez first entered a hog barn almost 25 years ago. The sow has evolved into what he describes as a ‘Formula 1 car'—a high-performance engine that requires precision tuning to succeed.
Martinez believes the technology and the ‘real-time data’ that now drive the modern pork industry are secondary to a much older metric: good stockmanship. For this Barn Hero, success isn’t just about weaning 14 piglets; it’s about the time spent side-by-side with a new employee, teaching them that a pig’s comfort is a direct reflection of its caretaker.
From Mexico City to Minnesota
His path to Sleepy Eye, Minn., was anything but traditional. Martinez grew up in Mexico City and spent his time off from school helping on his family’s farms where he developed a passion for livestock production. Formerly a veterinary professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a federal inspector, he first came to the U.S. in 2010. He started as a department leader of farrowing but quickly worked his way up to a farm manager role and eventually an onboarding trainer.
A few years later he returned to Mexico to lead a research station. Not long after, Tim Schwartz of Schwartz Farms called him about a job opening. Martinez was interested, but he was just starting a new role. Schwartz promised to stay in touch and he did.
“Every six months he called or texted me to see if it was a good time to make a career change,” Martinez says. “I am thankful he never gave up on me. That also told me something about the culture at Schwartz Farms. He never forgot about me.”
Earning Trust in the Barn
When he finally joined Schwartz Farms, he didn’t lead from an office. Martinez led from the power washer and the farrowing stall. He spent five years as an onboarding trainer, working in every sow farm to earn the trust of his teams through sweat and shared labor.
Now a supervisor, his “typical day” is an exercise in mentorship. He is known for his unique “on-site” interview process. After HR finishes the paperwork, Martinez takes the candidate into the barn.
“I want to see what people think when they look at an animal. What are they looking at?” he asks. “We walk through the barns and I encourage them to ask questions. I don’t want people who just want to check a box and get a paycheck. I want to find out who cares about the animal and the conditions they are in.”
The Gift of Time
When a new employee comes to the farm, he starts by setting the bar of what he expects on the first day. From noticing when an animal is stressed to ensuring a comfortable environment, Martinez wants his employees to develop a stockman’s eye to evaluate how the animal is doing.
Drawing on his deep veterinary background, Martinez views animal welfare as a moral contract.
“The pigs didn’t come to the farm knocking on the door asking to be raised,” he says. “We brought them here. That means we owe them our best care. If we want the animals to be productive and efficient, we need to provide them the best living conditions.”
His philosophy is rooted in a profound sense of responsibility for the pigs and the people. That’s one of the reasons why onboarding and training is so important to him – it’s for the betterment of both.
“The most valuable thing we have to give to others is our time,” he says. “When you train somebody, you’re giving them your time and your knowledge. I think that’s important to people when they come to a new company.”
Martinez says getting to know the people you work with every day is key to getting a good start on the farm. Being a team player who is willing to learn is also important.
“A person who wants to grow and is open to learn will find success,” he says. “I never think I know everything. Listening, being humble and recognizing the dignity of every person, no matter what position you are or what function you have, signifies a true leader.”
Investing in the Individual
He prioritizes talking to the members of his teams every day. It’s important to know the boundaries between professional and personal life, he says, but he urges people to try to get to know their teammates.
“I try to ask them questions like: How are you doing? How’s your kid? How is baseball or whatever is going on in their life?” Martinez says. “Be genuine with a sincere interest in learning about what’s valuable to them. I feel a responsibility to pass on this mindset that Tim Schwartz shared with me. My goal is make sure people know I see them as people – not just one more hand around the barn.”
Jose Antonio Robles started working with Martinez in Mexico years ago and came to Schwartz Farms to continue working under his leadership.
“He always makes you feel involved in the activities of the team,” Robles says. “When I was in Mexico, I was working in swine research, so I had a lot to learn here. He has given me different skills and tools that have helped me improve in my profession.”
Finding the Best Part of People
For Martinez, being able to help his team achieve their goals means he is doing his job successfully. He believes their success is a measure of his own.
In Robles’ mind, that’s what makes Martinez a barn hero. He puts everyone else’s success ahead of his own personal goals because his goal is truly helping his team achieve their goals. That selflessness and commitment is inspiring, he says.
“A barn hero brings people together,” Robles says. “Victor always finds the best part of each of us and tries to work with that. He recognizes that people don’t have to be the same. He brings us people together and makes us feel comfortable working here.”
Although Martinez appreciates the recognition, he says he’s just doing his job.
“I’ve spent 20 years in this industry doing all the jobs from power washing to day one care to farrowing,” Martinez says. “There are thousands of barn heroes out there. I’m just part of a big group of people making this industry better, while also improving their families, communities and industry.”
