New Program Provides Solutions for Independent Pork Producers
By Katie Johnson, PIPESTONE
In southwestern Minnesota, Preston Maurer works alongside his dad, Rick, on their family farm near Morgan, where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hogs. In addition to approximately 22,000 head each year, they also do tiling on the side.
After Preston returned home from college to work full-time on the diversified farm, the Maurers found themselves stretched thin. The demands of the field in the spring and fall left them with little time for their hogs.
“We had been looking to fill a role specifically on the livestock end, so when we discovered FarmTeam, a service through PIPESTONE, we were interested right away,” Rick Maurer says.
In the summer of 2022, the FarmTeam staff selected Jonathon “Jony” Rueda Hernandez to join Maurer Farms as a full-time FarmTeam member. Hernandez is from Chiapas, the southernmost state of Mexico, and speaks little English. Prior to his arrival in the U.S., he attended the University of Chiapas, studying veterinary medicine and animal husbandry.
After accepting the position with PIPESTONE and moving to Minnesota, Hernandez was enrolled in the FarmTeam training program for six weeks. During that time, 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.
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,” Penuelas says.
Take the Plunge
Inviting an individual from another country and culture to live and work in your operation day after day presents challenges. However, the Maurers agree it pales in comparison to the benefits.
“It is a big learning curve for them when they come here, as well as for us,” Maurer says.
He admits taking the plunge isn’t as easy as it sounds.
“I think it is human nature as a farmer to try and do everything yourself, to always be thinking that you can’t afford more expense or can’t hire another person,” Maurer says.
Being able to focus on other aspects of the farm because they know the hogs are being well cared for has been huge, Maurer adds.
“Since bringing on Hernandez, we’ve also seen improvements in the performance of our livestock,” Maurer explains. “It’s a big step, and it’s a difficult step, but we feel it can really add a lot to your operation.”
Katie Johnson is a multimedia communications specialist for PIPESTONE.
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