John Gatley, Leidy’s, Inc.; Logan Bower, Inc. share ideas on promoting Hispanic worl Perry County dairy producer; and Jorge Es- ers to management positions, trada of Leadership Coaching International, Relating To Hispanic Workers Is ‘Basic’ Workforce Management Conference Draws Diverse Crowd DAVE LEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff GRANTVILLE (Dauphin Co.) “Si se puede.” In Spanish, the phrase means “Yes you can.” For Angelo Mino, “Si se puede” is an attitude that can be applied in any situation, especially where people of different cultures work side by side. Mino is a native of Ecuador whose first job in the U.S. involved working for $4.25 an hour as a park ing lot security guard. He is now the head of Summit, a Kansas firm that connects Hispanic workers with U.S. employers. Mino was one of sev eral speakers at a “Managing the Hispanic Work force” conference recently offered to dairy and other ag managers by Penn State and Cornell Uni versities. About 100 people attended. “It’s so basic,” Mino said of the lessons to be learned about bringing Hispanic employees into a farm operation. “A third-grader could teach this.” Mino outlined four key areas in which an em ployer can generate loyalty and respect from Spanish-speaking employees. First and foremost is the role of the family in Hispanic life. That is not such a strange concept to dairy producers. “For us, family is a really, really strong thing,” Mino said. “But so is it to farmers.” Ways that farm managers can create employee loyalty include welcoming their kids, celebrating birthdays, inviting family members to work, and of fering rewards that bolster family unity such as calling cards or help with immigration and natural ization hassles. Managers should welcome and embrace the workers along with their families, Mino said. In doing so, bosses also become members of workers’ extended family or what one farm manager re ferred to as a network of seemingly “unlimited rela tives.” Angelo Mino urges farm managers to wel come and respect Hispanic employees. (Turn to Page A 32)
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