Checking out the seed dryers.
A 1000 kilo bag for soybean seeds. They are the most used means to packaging seeds in Brazil as of 2016.
Coffee harvester
Soy beans, 49,000 acres of beans, soy beans, corn and coffee
We spent the whole day with the Fava family at their Agrofava farm and even at their ranch home. This family perfectly represented the hospitality and welcoming for which Brazilians are known. We started the morning at the main branch of their farm where they have between 110 and 120 employees. This farm produces mainly soybeans, but they do have a second crop of corn. They sell commodity beans aside from their impressive seed production. We learned that farms with over 100 employees are required to have a safety technician on the premises and they must also provide the employees with a free lunch. They also have housing for a large number of their workers on site, and the resident employees pay virtually no rent and all of their meals are provided free of charge. We got to see only a small glimpse into the family’s 49,000 acres, but it was impressive, nonetheless. There were soybeans as far as the eye could see and even a flock of wild emu!
Having snacks in the Fava home.
The Fava’s then welcomed us to their beautiful home where they served us lanches (afternoon snacks) as we waited out the rain. After the skies cleared up we went to the barn to meet some beautiful Quarter Horses. Beatriz owns several impressive horses including two breeding stallions and a month and a half old colt that was conceived as an embryo transplant who is already showing potential to be great. The trainer and vet on the farm got four different horses ready for us to ride and almost everybody took a turn. Most of their horses are trained to barrel race so a few of us even tried our hand at running the pattern, pretty quickly I might add!
Sarah riding a green broke barrel racer.
The horse barn at the home ranch.
The Favas’ children took us to dinner at one of their favorite spots in town where we had some excellent food and listened to a singer play some American favorites. We were so lucky to get to spend the day with this family and are looking forward to having them visit us in Ohio after we recommended that they attend the Quarter Horse Congress in October.
By: Sarah E. Bookman