An interview with Arianna Martinez, Farrowing Team Leader, The Maschhoffs, Holbrook, Nebraska
Key takeaways
Champions of Care honors individuals who champion their animals by providing a level of care that is second to none.
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“The most important job we all have on farms is animal care.” — Arianna Martinez
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Analytical, problem-solving and communications skills gained from agricultural engineering put Veracruz, Mexico, woman in pig care leadership role.
Arianna Martinez’s love for plants, the countryside and being outdoors led her to study agricultural engineering at the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico. Martinez never imagined she would find a career caring for animals in the United States.
She began working at The Maschhoffs’ Holbrook, Nebraska, sow facility in 2020. Today, Martinez is a farrowing team leader dedicated to keeping pigs healthy from Day 1. It is the passion for pig care and the responsible production of nutritious pork in individuals like Martinez that Zoetis recognizes, supports and applauds through Champions of Care. Martinez is a champion, because she cares every day.
She puts the analytical, problem-solving and communications skills gained during her agricultural engineering studies to good use in the barns by finding ways to help her team provide exceptional care for the sows and piglets.
“The most important job we all have on farms is animal care,” she says. “I really enjoy seeing the little pigs healthy and playing, but what excites me most about this job is that we keep learning.”
With today’s state-of-the-art equipment, climate-controlled buildings, care practices and precise nutrition programs, there is a lot to learn. Practices and technologies are ever-changing.
Continual learning is key to career growth
“When I started working with pigs, the physical aspects of the job were a bit daunting. But with time, I adjusted and the work became easier,” Martinez remembers. Being a woman does not stop her from doing any task in the barn that is needed.
Martinez is committed to keeping pigs healthy and gaining a deep understanding of pig care. She’s also embracing the opportunity for career growth.
“I want to keep learning, and I try to make the most of the many opportunities to gain experience,” Martinez says. The ongoing support, hands-on training and mentorship provided by Jesus Garcia, a Zoetis pork production specialist, have been key factors.
Garcia, a Honduras native, relates well to the growing Hispanic community in the swine industry. For Hispanic individuals who have left family members in other countries, the people working in the barns become their family. Garcia tries to establish a personal relationship with each swine caregiver before he begins their training. Martinez follows his example, building a relationship and fostering the sense of family as she mentors and shares her skills with new team members.
A pig care community
“We arrive here alone and meet people who are from our state, from our city and even colleagues from the same university,” Martinez explains. “Having a community and sense of family here makes work more enjoyable, because we talk, joke and understand each other. It makes everyone feel more at home.”
The sense of community unites the team in purpose — keeping pigs healthy and productive.
Be inspired by other Champions of Care. Read the story of Eric Meyers.
