Grant, a recent graduate of MICC's College Program and current Community Program participant, has been working as a Farm Operations Support Member at the University of Minnesota since 2019. His main task is mowing the grass roads between the experimental fields. He also helps with small projects around the fields and weed-whips the fence posts. Grant’s Job Developer spent a morning on the field with him and was able to learn more about the ins and outs of his workday at the University of Minnesota.
3 interesting facts you’ve learned since I have been working at the University of Minnesota?
3 interesting facts you’ve learned since I have been working at the University of Minnesota?
- I have learned how to change a tire.
- I learned that the weather station that is used out in the fields and a good amount of the devices that we use have been built by the weather station crew and that data is being uploaded every minute, 24/7.
- I have learned that we use some crops (soybeans and corn) as cover crops. Planting cover crops around the borders of other crops helps protect the specific area of the plots from inclement weather.
 Grant at work at U of MN |  Grant and Anna, MICC Job Developer |  Grant at work at U of MN |
What has kept you passionate about your job over the past 4 years?
Even though I mostly mow the grass. Knowing that I work on a research farm that connects with other farms all over the state and country makes me proud of what I do, even if it’s a small part.
What is an obstacle/challenge for you?
An obstacle/challenge for me is actually not waking up at 5:00 AM for work. That I have, unfortunately, mastered. It’s having to be at work earlier than usual during the State Fair. From 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM there is a constant flow of cars sitting outside of the St. Paul campus trying to get a parking spot for the State Fair parking lots. It would usually take me 30 minutes to get to work. During the fair, it can take me roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes if I didn’t get in early. However, despite having to get in to work earlier than usual, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the opportunity I have. I also have permission to go back to sleep when I get to work, as long as I start to work with the rest of my co-workers at 7:00 AM.
Have there been any special projects that you have been a part of since you’ve been working at the U of Minnesota?
There have been a ton of special projects I have been a part of! One of my favorites is a 2-day event called Field School. It’s part of the University of Minnesota Extension Program. The information from the fields we have learned gets passed to the Minnesota counties’ representatives, companies, and other research plots from around Minnesota. Unfortunately, I do more of the behind-the-scenes work, but thankfully, I still get the lunches that are catered for the event.
Even though I mostly mow the grass. Knowing that I work on a research farm that connects with other farms all over the state and country makes me proud of what I do, even if it’s a small part.
What is an obstacle/challenge for you?
An obstacle/challenge for me is actually not waking up at 5:00 AM for work. That I have, unfortunately, mastered. It’s having to be at work earlier than usual during the State Fair. From 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM there is a constant flow of cars sitting outside of the St. Paul campus trying to get a parking spot for the State Fair parking lots. It would usually take me 30 minutes to get to work. During the fair, it can take me roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes if I didn’t get in early. However, despite having to get in to work earlier than usual, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the opportunity I have. I also have permission to go back to sleep when I get to work, as long as I start to work with the rest of my co-workers at 7:00 AM.
Have there been any special projects that you have been a part of since you’ve been working at the U of Minnesota?
There have been a ton of special projects I have been a part of! One of my favorites is a 2-day event called Field School. It’s part of the University of Minnesota Extension Program. The information from the fields we have learned gets passed to the Minnesota counties’ representatives, companies, and other research plots from around Minnesota. Unfortunately, I do more of the behind-the-scenes work, but thankfully, I still get the lunches that are catered for the event.
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