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Vermont Ag Agency Sponsors
Spanish Classes for Producers

Elizabeth Ferry
Vermont Correspondent

MONTPELIER, Vt. — There are certain things that everyone on the farm needs to know: “The bull is here. Be careful.” And likewise, there are questions and answers that need to be understood: “Is there a sick cow? What is her number?”

Vermont dairy producers have a growing number of Hispanic employees. And to make sure that there is clear communication between employer and employees on key issues related to health, business, and safety, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture is, for the third time, offering a winter series of intensive Spanish classes specifically related to dairy production.

“It’s really about learning key phrases,” says Louise Waterman, Education Coordinator for the state’s Agency of Agriculture. The class is practical and experiential; about 80 percent of it is practicing conversation phrases with fellow dairy farmers/students.

“Spanish Class for Vermont Dairy Producers” was developed in partnership between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and Command Spanish, a company that specializes in occupational Spanish language training materials and programs. Waterman approached Command Spanish in 2005 when the need for such a service first became apparent. Command Spanish did not have any ag-related materials at that time, but responded to the request with enthusiasm. They said, “If you’ll help us, we’ll develop some,” Waterman recalls.

With assistance from the federally funded Northeast Center for Risk Management, and in conversation with local dairy producers, the team created a book, Spanish for Vermont Dairy Operations, and an accompanying CD.

These materials, completed in 2006, cover key workplace phrases, general exchanges, and cultural courtesies. Topics include numbers, vocabulary specific to milk production, herd health, barn and machinery maintenance, human health and safety, work schedules, complimenting employees, and more.

“Our goal is to help producers communicate better with their employees,” Waterman says. She notes that many of the Hispanic laborers are here to earn money and return home to their native country. Because of the turn-over rate, many Vermont dairy producers find it beneficial to learn some basic Spanish.

“We’ve found it most successful to organize the classes into a three week block,” she advises, noting that 24 hours of instruction is a “huge commitment” from the farmers. Classes typically take place during the day, involve 12 or more learners, and run for four hours.

The classes attract both senior and junior generations of producers. “You are learning with your friends and neighbor,” Waterman notes. “We have a blast.”

She is excited that this year’s class at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center will be an equal mix of the College’s dairy management students and seasoned producers.

“It’s important that people quickly develop a comfort zone,” she explains. The class is organized to get people practicing right away, getting past the hurdle of “thinking that the words will come out funny.”

“They say the best way to learn a language is by immersion,” Waterman continues. “Our dairy producers just travel home to practice with native speakers!”

Payment of $260.00 is required at the time of enrollment. However, scholarships are available to producers who complete the course; the final cost, after reimbursement, is $80.00.

And the results? “The class last winter helped fast forward my ability to speak and comprehend Spanish,” commented one participant. Others speak of improved employee relationships and employees’ pride and honor at the producer’s new Spanish-language skills.

And as to the cows that get better care, the equipment that is more accurately maintained, the safety precautions that are more closely followed-this is perhaps best summarized by the satisfaction felt at the end of a day’s good work.