H-2A Success Profile: Brack Farms and Brack Harvesting, LLC (Custom Harvesting)
How Matt and Valerie Brack Increased Crop Output, Enhanced Harvesting Efficiency, and Regained Control of their Lives with USA FARM LABOR and the H-2A Program
The Bracks Welcome their H2A Employees to the Family
Location:
Hutchinson, Kansas
Contact:
Valerie Brack
Business/Farm Name:
Brack Crop Farm (corn)
Brack Harvesting, LLC
The team at USA FARM LABOR recently spoke with Valerie Brack, wife of Matt Brack and co-owner of Brack Farms and Brack Harvesting, LLC. The Bracks have been in business for years, so the husband and wife team knew they needed some skilled, qualified labor to help their business. Unfortunately, skilled, reliable labor has been very hard to come by recently, leaving the husband and wife team searching for options.
After going through some of the common struggles associated with finding and employing farm labor, the Bracks were ready to try bringing in H-2A labor through the H-2A visa program. A few of their fellow farmers had used the H-2A program to source labor and had some success, so the couple was ready to give it a chance. The Bracks never imagined the impacts that H-2A employees would have on their custom harvesting business, farming practices, and personal lives.
This is their story.
Why Matt and Valerie Brack and Brack Harvesting, LLC Chose USA FARM LABOR
Like many of our clients, the Bracks heard about USA FARM LABOR from a close friend and fellow ag professional, Chad Schmidt. Schmidt told the Bracks about USA FARM LABOR’s services and our commitment to client success, so they decided to give us a call. It’s safe to say that one phone call changed the course of their farming business and lives forever.
Naturally, Matt and Valerie had lots of questions, and as most first-time clients are, the Bracks were extremely apprehensive about the H-2A process. From the application processes to bringing in foreign labor to compliance with the H-2A program’s requirements, it was seemingly a huge undertaking.
However, after speaking with one of our processing specialists and dealing with one of our prized placement coordinators, Jeff Amsler-Jendrzejczyk, the Bracks knew they had found the right company to partner with for their farm labor needs and to help them navigate the challenges associated with the H-2A program.
How USA FARM LABOR Responded to the Bracks H-2A Labor Needs
The Bracks knew they needed help sourcing labor for their farm and harvesting businesses. Sourcing ag labor in the U.S. and around the world is becoming more and more difficult, and more of a challenge for employers.
The Bracks grow corn on their farm and offer custom harvesting services to farmers needing additional help during harvest time. Running two separate farm businesses on two different fronts is not an easy task. But, running two businesses, managing a family, raising kids, and making time for one another is even more difficult, if not impossible – especially with no employees.
Sound familiar?
There’s not a business in the world that can sustain and grow without access to a skilled, qualified labor market. As most of our clients quickly realize, having access to additional skilled labor is necessary if they want to grow their business and regain control over their personal lives.
That first application was somewhat tough, though. The Bracks were apprehensive about the H-2A program but even more wary of opening up their business to the government.
“The last thing we needed was more government scrutiny,” explains Valerie. “We were very, very nervous about opening up to the government and submitting all the required documents. But, the team at USA FARM LABOR assured us they’d have our back every step of the way… and they did!”
Our team of processing specialists and placement coordinators here at USA FARM LABOR made the application process simple for the Bracks and helped ease their worries and concerns over the process. This is due in large part to our caring, dedicated staff but also to our extraordinary database that delivers transparency throughout the entire H-2A process. Our proprietary database is designed to be a resource hub for our clients. Our database makes submitting the necessary documents and following along throughout the application process easy and simple.
“The database was incredibly easy to use,” notes Valerie.
“I love that it gives me step-by-step instructions for filling out and submitting the required forms. I’ve spoken with other farmers in my area about their experiences with other companies and the databases at other firms aren’t nearly as user-friendly,” adds Valerie.
Our custom database was built with our clients and our network of H-2A employees in mind. We wanted to give our clients access to a computer database capable of making the time-consuming, convoluted H-2A application process quick, easy, and transparent. Likewise, our proprietary database also houses all types of information and profiles for thousands of skilled, qualified, and vetted H-2A employees.
“I constantly receive status updates related to my application and love that I can review the worker’s resumes complete with their references. The database is just a wealth of information,” furthers Valerie.
Our network of recruiters has reviewed these profiles plus taken the extra step of verifying the skills listed on the resumes. Not only does this help our H-2A employees stand out from the rest but it protects our clients from making bad hiring decisions. The database is just one of the many ways we separate ourselves from the competition.
But, if you ask the Bracks, USA FARM LABOR sets itself apart from others in one simple way – CARING. Our team cares deeply for the success of our clients and their families, the health of the ag industry in America, and the well-being of H-2A employees.
“It’s safe to say that we chose USA FARM LABOR because they truly care about our success,” explains Valerie. “Everyone we talked to and dealt with… processing, coordinators, was just so caring, it seemed they cared as much as we do.”
Yes, Valerie, we do!
It’s that mutual commitment to serving others and our dedication to the “Golden Rule” of treating others the way we want to be treated that makes USA FARM LABOR and the Bracks a great fit for working together. The Bracks are a family-oriented couple just trying to do their best with their farm, harvesting business, and family. It is these common values that ultimately make us a great fit for one another.
The Good Part: Impacts that H-2A Employees Have on the Bracks' Business and Personal Lives
Great customer service is one thing, results are another.
The impact that skilled, qualified agricultural employees can have on a family-owned and operated farm business is priceless. Whether one of our clients wants to double their business, take on more contracts, or buy more land to increase crop yields, chances are having access to a skilled and qualified labor market will help them achieve their goals. That’s exactly what USA FARM LABOR and the H-2A visa program were able to offer the Bracks and their businesses.
The access to skilled labor “had huge impacts on the business,” Valerie exclaims. “We’re just able to run more efficiently.”
Before the Bracks had reliable labor to help run their business, Matt and Valerie found themselves doing all the work. From planting to harvesting and everything in between, the Bracks were completely absorbed in the businesses of farming and custom harvesting. Once they finally had some reliable labor, the Bracks experienced a transformation in their business.
“Now, Matt can pick up extra business,” Valerie explains. “For example, one of our harvesting clients needed a significant number of extra acres harvested, and tackling that was an easy ‘YES’ where before we couldn’t pick up that extra business. Overall, it’s great knowing we have the labor to take on new clients or more work. Matt can be in more of a manager’s role.”
Not only is Brack Harvesting, LLC able to take on more acreage, but the Bracks’ fixed-site corn crop farm has also been positively impacted by the presence of skilled, qualified H-2A employees.
“For example, Matt was able to focus on implementing a new irrigation system for our crops,” Valerie explained. “Matt was also able to change farming practices from no-till to tillage farming so we yield more crops. The extra help from our employees has improved his ability to farm the ground and we’ve seen significant yield increases.”
Today, Matt Brack can work ON his business instead of working IN his business. The introduction of tillage farming, for example, produces a better crop yield, which leads to a more successful farming business in general. This type of efficiency makes a huge difference in their bottom line, but as you know, the measure of a family-owned farming business is about more than the figures contained in a balance sheet.
Before their involvement with USA FARM LABOR and the H-2A program, the Bracks had nearly no time for themselves or their family. The family could count their number of annual vacation days on one hand, with digits removed!
“We’d get to spend maybe two days per year at our family’s lake house,” Valerie noted. “Now, we can take time away. We were able to go visit friends in Florida for four days for a graduation, whereas that was just unheard of before.”
It’s not just the time away that Matt and Valerie appreciate. H-2A employees are vital to the Bracks’ overall quality of life and peace of mind.
Recently, there was a big storm while the Bracks were away. Trees were down, power was out, and a lot of farmland was severely impacted. As many of you know, those Kansas storms can be brutal. Before their involvement in the H-2A program, a storm like that would mean cutting their trip short, and the family would have to head back to check on the farm, tend to the land, and start cleaning up.
“We were away and a big storm came through. Our [H-2A] crew had everything taken care of. They managed everything perfectly after the storm and we didn’t have to worry,” Valerie bragged. “They even had generators hooked up to the house and started cleaning up the land. They just really care about everything.”
These aren’t your regular, run-of-the-mill employees, either. The Bracks’ H-2A employees are like family members. The Bracks and their farm employees spend holidays together and have dinners together, and a few of the guys even made an appearance at their kids’ school where they taught the class more about South African traditions and sports like Rugby.
“My son LOVES these guys,” notes Valerie. “Our son, Blake, was so excited to see JP again that he made him a sign to welcome him at the airport.”
It’s these types of experiences that make the H-2A program and the presence of H-2A employees hard to quantify. It’s not just about harvesting more acreage or a higher crop yield, it’s about regaining control of all facets of your life and welcoming in new family members.
Contact USA FARM LABOR to Achieve Your Goals
To recap, the Bracks were hesitant to apply, but ultimately invested in H-2A employees, and they’ve changed the course of their farm and their lives forever. Now, Brack Harvesting, LLC can take on bigger harvesting jobs, Matt designed and implemented new farming practices to increase corn crop yields, Matt and Valerie’s son has some new best friends, and the Bracks can take time away to spend time with their kids, family, and friends when they see fit. The impacts are extraordinary.
But, to be honest, we see scenarios similar to the Bracks' experience play out all the time. The H-2A visa program is designed to give ag businesses access to labor when there aren’t enough domestic employees to fill these critical positions. USA FARM LABOR is dedicated to becoming the preferred H-2A agency in the country. You won’t find a team more committed to your success and growth than our team at USA FARM LABOR.
So, are you tired of battling with unreliable labor?
Want to transform your business and your life forever, just like the Bracks?
Contact the team at USA FARM LABOR today and let’s get your application started. Whether you need one H-2A employee to help you out with seasonal tasks or you’re a Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) in need of an entire crew to help grow your business and take on more clients during the most critical times of the year, the USA FARM LABOR family has the experience, knowledge, and resources to meet all of your farm labor needs.
Fill out our contact form, tell us a little bit about yourself and your farm business, hit submit, and one of our dedicated specialists will reach out to you immediately, typically within a few minutes.
Or, if you’re like Matt and Valerie Brack, feel free to call us at (828) 246-0659 and speak with one of our representatives. Our qualified team of processing agents and placement coordinators is ready, willing, and available to answer all of your H-2A questions and meet your labor needs.
Don’t go through another season without the right employees, contact USA FARM LABOR and get started today.