Cultural Exchange Program

In the summer of 1997, LB Pork became a host family for foreign agricultural student trainees.  This was through the MAST (Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee) program at the University of Minnesota. LB Pork has since also used the Communicating for Agriculture and the Self Employed, program.  These programs typically bring cultural exchange students to our farm for 6-12 months. With the MAST program the students, after completing their training at the farm, are then able to attend the University of Minnesota for one semester of study. 

LB Pork provides room and board and pays an hourly rate for their compensation.  There are 3 separate houses one-half mile from the home farm, that the exchange students live in.  They will usually spend their time training in the wean-to-finish facilities, but some will also train in the nurseries and assist with field work. 

The students have been a benefit to our operation.  Getting to know about them, their families, operations, and the cultures of their countries has been a valuable learning experience for us and our workers.  Normally we have eight to twelve trainees.

Since 1997, LB Pork has hosted over 175 students at our farm.