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Host Training Plan
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
| Name | Jere Gettle | [email protected] | |
| Steward(s) Selected | Naikaluge Sanjana Ravindu Silva – | ||
| Training Start Date | 05/16/2023 | Training End Date | 05/15/2024 |
| Steward Training Hours per Week | 40 | ||
| Compensation (Stipend or Wage) | $10/hour | If Yes, how much/how often? | [1156] |
| Non-Monetary Compensation and Estimated Value | $20,000 (est. lodging, food, local transport, insurance, program fee) |
| Name of your Workers’ Compensation Carrier | Missouri Employers Mutual |
| Will your Workers’ Compensation policy cover the Steward? | No, but equivalent coverage |
| Number of Employees at training location | 100 |
| Number of Interns/Trainees/Apprentices at training location | 2 |
| Annual Revenue | $25 Million or More |
[Phase 1]
| Phase Name | Farm orientation | ||
| Start Date of Phase | 05/16/2023 | End Date of Phase | 05/27/2023 |
| Primary Supervisor during this phase | Kathy McFarland | Supervisor Title | Media, Public Relations, and Events |
| [email protected] | Phone Number | 417-650-1883 | |
| 1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase |
|
The trainee will meet all the employees at both Baker Creek locations and will get a full overview of operations at both locations. |
| 2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase |
|
1. The trainee will identify employees in the greenhouses. 2. The trainee will identify which types of plants are grown in each greenhouse and outside garden. 3. The trainee will become familiar with the seed store and its setup/operation. |
| 3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications |
|
Kathy is a life-long gardener and a 14-year Baker Creek employee familiar with all aspects of the company. |
| 4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States? |
|
The trainee will live with veteran employees and participate in daily life on a working farm. The Missouri Ozarks is flush with cultural activities that include many outdoor activities. Baker Creek’s proximity to Springfield also gives easy access to shopping, concerts, sporting events, theater, etc. |
| 5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase? |
|
The trainee will learn which employees work in which area and what those employees actually do. The trainee will learn the order in which seeds are displayed in the seed store and how they are sold. |
| 6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus. |
|
This phase will be much observation, communication during visits to various sites on the farm, hands-on training in the greenhouses, gardens, and warehouse. Supervisors in each area visited will explain what is taking place in each location. Trainees will practice some hands-on techniques. |
| 7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured? |
|
Trainee’s new skills and competencies will be measured by observation and documentation by supervisor. |
| 8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional) |
|
Kathy’s background in education has taught her that the proper orientation to a training program can be one of the most important components of the program. |
[Phase 2]
| Phase Name | Seed Production, stage 1 | ||
| Start Date of Phase | 05/27/2023 | End Date of Phase | 01/02/2024 |
| Primary Supervisor during this phase | Martin Walsh | Supervisor Title | Seed Production Manager |
| [email protected] | Phone Number | 417-554-7044 | |
| 1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase |
|
*This phase is designed with a 2-month break in the middle of it in order for the trainee to get training and experience in Seed Packing and Order Fulfillment at its prime time of operation. Trainee will actively participate side-by-side with veteran employees while completing many of the following tasks: |
| 2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase |
|
Trainee will learn requirements for planting both in the greenhouses and the outdoor gardens, as well as the requirements for producing, harvesting and preparing quality seed for sale. |
| 3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications |
|
Martin has worked in his position for more than 10 years. He is is both personable and professional in his job. He pays great attention to detail and loves to teach others about seed saving. |
| 4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States? |
|
There are multiple opportunities for fishing, river floating, and many other activities. Because this phase includes the July 4th holiday, Trainee will be exposed to America’s Independence Day celebrations with fireworks, BBQ’s, picnics, etc. |
| 5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase? |
|
Trainee will learn depth of planting for various types of seeds. Trainee will learn fertilizer or soil amendment requirements for various types of plants. Trainee will learn various methods of organic or natural pest control. Trainee will also learn the different techniques of harvesting, drying, or acquiring seeds from outside sources. |
| 6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus. |
|
Trainee will actively participate side-by-side with veteran garden, greenhouse, and seed warehouse employees using hands-on activities. |
| 7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured? |
|
Trainee’s skills and competencies will be measured by supervisor observation and documentation. |
| 8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional) |
|
The gardens and greenhouses are important parts of Baker Creek. While we do harvest some seed to sell, we consider many of them to be trial gardens where we try out new varieties and grow many varieties for photography purposes to use in our catalogs and marketing programs. |
[Phase 3]
| Phase Name | Seed Packing and Order Fullfillment | ||
| Start Date of Phase | 01/02/2024 | End Date of Phase | 03/01/2024 |
| Primary Supervisor during this phase | Rose Lentz | Supervisor Title | Shipping Manager |
| [email protected] | Phone Number | 573-600-2377 | |
| 1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase |
|
Trainee will observe and actively participate side-by-side with veteran employees working the picking line to fulfill customer orders. |
| 2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase |
|
Trainee will learn to properly place seed packs on the conveyor during the order fulfillment process. Trainee will experience packing bulbs and seeds for shipment to customers. Trainee will learn and gain experience preparing packages for shipping. |
| 3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications |
|
Rose has been the shipping manager for a few years, supervising the picking line and order fulfillment process. She has experience shipping orders to domestic and international addresses. |
| 4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States? |
|
There will be multiple opportunities for wintertime outdoor activities such as sledding, snow hiking, etc. Baker Creek’s proximity to Springfield also gives easy access to shopping, concerts, sporting events, theater, etc. |
| 5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase? |
|
Trainee will learn about shipping restrictions of certain seeds both within our country and to other countries. Trainee will learn techniques to run the picking/packing line effectively and efficiently. |
| 6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus. |
|
Veteran employees will show Trainee step-by-step the order fulfillment process–from picking the seeds to packing them for shipping to placing shipping labels on the finished package. |
| 7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured? |
|
Veteran employees will show Trainee step-by-step the order fulfillment process–from picking the seeds to packing them for shipping to placing shipping labels on the finished package. |
| 8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional) |
[Phase 4]
| Phase Name | Seed Production, Stage 2 | ||
| Start Date of Phase | 03/01/2024 | End Date of Phase | 05/15/2024 |
| Primary Supervisor during this phase | Martin Walsh | Supervisor Title | Seed Production Manager |
| [email protected] | Phone Number | 417-554-7044 | |
| 1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase |
|
Continuation and progression of Phase 2 activities: *This phase is designed with a 2-month break in the middle of it in order for the trainee to get training and experience in Seed Packing and Order Fulfillment at its prime time of operation. Trainee will actively participate side-by-side with veteran employees while completing many of the following tasks: |
| 2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase |
|
Trainee will learn requirements for planting both in the greenhouses and the outdoor gardens, as well as the requirements for producing, harvesting and preparing quality seed for sale. |
| 3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications |
|
Martin has worked in his position for more than 10 years. He is is both personable and professional in his job. He pays great attention to detail and loves to teach others about seed saving. |
| 4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States? |
|
Multiple opportunities for fishing, river floating, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. This phase will also allow Trainee to participate in the many summer and fall festivals of the area. |
| 5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase? |
|
Trainee will learn depth of planting for various types of seeds. Trainee will learn fertilizer or soil amendment requirements for various types of plants. Trainee will learn various methods of organic or natural pest control. Trainee will also learn the different techniques of harvesting, drying, or acquiring seeds from outside sources. |
| 6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus. |
|
Trainee will actively participate side-by-side with veteran garden, greenhouse, and seed warehouse employees using hands-on activities. |
| 7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured? |
|
Trainee’s skills and competencies will be measured by supervisor observation and documentation. |
| 8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional) |
