GROW MORE & YOUR ROI PROTEIN

Wessels and Boshart Davis feel it is important to invest their time and effort in youth workers, although it’s not always easy doing so. A lot of their seasonal labor are only 14 to 19 years old.

“We train them and require them to take safety classes for driving tractors and equipment,” Wessels said. “At 14 years old, they get their first job interview. Most of them don’t come off the farm. They quickly learn that one job impacts the next. A bad job of raking impacts the baler, a bad job of baling impacts the stacker, and a bad job of stacking impacts the squeeze operator who loads the trucks.”

Wessels said that hiring new and maintaining skilled full-time employees remains a challenge. “We hire people who we like and will fit into our environment,” she said. “We then train them ourselves for two years and eventually pay for their commercial driving license (CDL) and schooling.”

In concluding, Wessels said, “There is plenty of opportunity in agriculture for people who are willing to work hard and think outside the box.” For her and Boshart Davis, that thought process is grounded in life experiences. •

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The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) is a voice for alfalfa farmers across the country. Being the ultimate regenerative crop, alfalfa gives back to the environment. Known for its nitrogen-fixing abilities in crop rotations, this perennial crop, with its deep root structure, helps farmers sustain their land for years to come. Alfalfa also gives back to the farmer by providing a high-quality forage for their livestock.

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