Albert and Pieter G.

LH Blog PhotoRecently I was able to catch up via phone and email with two more of our crew members on their day off. Albert and Pieter G. were both willing to share their stories with you, and I appreciate them taking the time to do so. Both of these young men came to us from South Africa. Albert has worked in America before, but this is Pieter’s first time here.

I hope you enjoy their perspectives!

 AlbertAlbert

 Why did you want to join a harvest crew?  I wanted to join a harvest crew to get to travel a lot, see a lot, meet people, and see the country side of America while on harvest. Every day is a challenge. You wake up never knowing what is going to happen and you look forward to meeting the challenges and rising up to them.   

Through your travels, have you been able to go anyplace new and if so, what was your favorite area and why?  I have been to a few new places each year. I think Montana’s countryside is very beautiful but I also likes Nebraska’s as well.

 What is your favorite job or responsibility on the crew?  Least favorite? My favorite job is combining. I enjoy the challenge of running a combine and trying to keep it running as long as I can for as well as I can. My least favorite job is servicing them in the morning and getting covered in wheat dust. At the beginning it was worse, but now I have gotten better at finding way to avoid the dusting. 

What are some things you have learned about American agriculture through this experience that you didn’t know before?  I have learned from different farmers and their different farming techniques. In North Dakota the farms are bigger. I have learned more about precision farming and etiquette when working with different farmers. 

 When you’re not harvesting, what things do you like to do in your free time?  I like to golf, fish, and catch up on sleep!

 Anything else you would like to share with the public like a favorite memory, etc?  He responded that he has had enjoyed the friendships he has made and working for HPH. 

Also, after one job, they were cleaning up machines as is usual. This farmer brought them beverages out and told them is was job well done and they had fun visiting. It felt good to know the customer was very satisfied with the job they had done.

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Photo from Albert

 

Pieter G.

Why did you want to join a harvest crew?  Since I was a little boy it was a dream of mine running big machines and traveling to see America.

Through your travels, have you been able to go anyplace new and if so, what was your favorite area and why? Montana (Hardin). It was really different then all the other places we’ve cut with the mountain views and the surrounding areas were pretty amazing.

What is your favorite job or responsibility on the crew?  Least favorite? Favorite – (combining) to be able to challenge yourself to do a better job every day! Least favorite, I don’t really have a least favorite job. I just like doing everything and doing it to the best of my ability!

What are some things you have learned about American agriculture through this experience that you didn’t know before?  Precision farming and the way the big farmers operate with the latest equipment!

When you’re not harvesting, what things do you like to do in your free time?  Golf, see new places, fishing and just spending time with all the friends and having a barbecue. 

Anything else you would like to share with the public like a favorite memory, etc?  Favorite memory – all that we do every day is a great memory!

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Photo from Pieter G.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and New Holland Agriculture. You can contact Laura at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

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