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Two experienced farm hands seeking winter (year around) position in Michigan or nearby

A farmer in Wisconsin phoned me to ask if she could share this info with you. They have a couple working on their organic farm that are from Ukraine and are very enthusiastic and dedicated farm workers. She hopes they can find a position that offers them additional experience and opportunity to learn. Read on if you possibly would like to hire this couple who are committed to their work and very enthusiastic.

 

Now here is what the farmer shared with me: 

We have a couple ( boyfriend/girlfriend) from the Ukraine working/learning on our diversified organic/sustainable fruit farm this summer.  They are here legally with all the proper paperwork.
They are looking for employment from November until June when their visa expires.  Their spoken English is quite good, however, they understand and comprehend written English better ( it's the way they learned English).
They have also worked in Australia, UK and Sweden-always in agriculture ( from a large carrot farm to dairy). A wide range of experiences.  He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and her degree is in accounting.
   We are extremely pleased with the quality of their work. They have learned a great deal on our rather small operation and are eager to learn more about American agricultural methods.  Synergy is a word that describes how this couple works together.  They are amazing.  I can honestly say the two of them have done more work than 5 workers from other countries.  Their work ethic is outstanding. 
   Our machinery and equipment have never been in better condition or repair.  Yuri sees things that need fixing before they are broken!  He is adapt at fixing many things.  Alla is meticulous in her work habits, which has included harvesting ( never a bruised fruit), sorting, has helped with food processing, and has assisted at the Saturday urban farm market.  I could see her being a tremendous help in a farm market/farm stand.  They are quick learners when shown what needs to done and how to do it. They helped put up our high tunnel.
   Wages, living conditions are open for discussion.   
   They are personally clean, healthy and honest, with a most charming and pleasant personality. Yuri's sense of humor even crosses the language/cultural divide.
   I would not be going to such length to find them another learning/work situation if I did not feel these are the kind of people America needs and wants.  So far they like our country.  I would like to keep them in the Midwest if possible, rather than send them to a Southern state where they would only learn to cut collards.   There must be some farm or agricultural operation that needs two dependable people who want to learn more about how we farm.
    My only regret is that we do not have winter work for this amazing couple.
     For more information, please contact   [log in to unmask] or cell phone: 920-495-8604
 

 

Vicki Morrone

C. S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Outreach Specialist for Organic Vegetable and Field Crops

303 Natural Resources

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-353-3542/517-282-3557 (cell)

517-353-3834 (Fax)

www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu

 

 

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