(This is the third in a four-part series about the Sattazahn families from Marion Township. Previous stories are available at readingeagle.com)
They say your career starts during your childhood growth and experiences.
Kevin, George and Kirk Sattazahn from western Berks County were raised on their dad’s, Robert and Clarence Sattazahn farms. Though born and raised on dairy farms, for many reasons, production agriculture was not in their future. But the experiences of farm life made their future work in the food and fiber system an easy decision.
Kevin works in the warehouse at Weaver Nut Company Inc. selecting and preparing orders for customers. The company supplies milk chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, candy and chocolates across the U.S. and Canada.
George is employed at Wengers Farm Machinery, pulling orders, putting parts on the shelf and tearing down farm equipment. Wengers supplies used tractor parts worldwide.
Kirk is vice president of marketing and development for Premier Select Sires, a cattle genetics and reproduction company that provides cattle genetic and reproductive solutions to farmers in 23 eastern states.
When asked how their farm experiences provided success in their jobs, Kevin stated, “It taught me a good work ethic and that you got the work done before you had time to play.”
George said, “Being raised on a farm taught me work ethic and the knowledge of equipment, especially tractor parts.”
Kirk answered, “The best things farms do is teach a strong work ethic.”
In asking what advice would they give to a person wanting to make a career in the food industry, George said: “If you want to be on the farm, you have to love what you do, it is long hard hours.”
Kirk mentioned: “People will always eat and that means we will always need ag producers. Agriculture is very underrated when it comes to the amount of technology and innovation used in modern food production. If you enjoy food production and helping your neighbors, working in agriculture is a tremendous way to accomplish that goal and there are great opportunities for success.”
Kevin’s thoughts included, “Learn as much in school as you can, and get a job related to what may be your future occupation.”
In answering the question, what is the proudest accomplishment relating to your agriculture experience George stated: “What I am most proud of is that I have always been involved in the ag industry my entire life. It is all I ever wanted to do.”
Kirk said, “Spending my whole life in agricultural production and now being able to have my family live on the farm I was raised on to witness firsthand what farm production is all about is very rewarding.”
Kevin said, “In addition to the success of our children, being the Berks County Grange president is a proud accomplishment.”
In your opinion what is needed for the future of the agriculture/food industry in Berks and surrounding counties?
Kevin stated: “I think we are blessed to have a rural area, surrounded with many productive farms. We should continue to preserve this area so it stays that way for future generations.”
George mentioned, “The number one thing that is needed for the future of the agriculture industry is that it has to be more profitable.”
Kirk said: “Berks and surrounding counties have productive land and talented farmers that will work hard to provide for the community. My hope is that government and community leaders realize how blessed we are to have that combination of productive land and talented producers working that land and will provide the support our producers deserve.”
Clyde Myers worked for 30 years as a Penn State Extension educator in Berks County and is a Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board member.
Food and fiber system
Even though less than 2% of our labor force are farmers, around 20% work in the food and fiber system.
The food industry has three main segments: farmers, farm supply, and processing and distribution.
The story of the Sattazahns shows how George and Kirk found careers in the farm supply area. This area provides the farmer with the needed inputs to produce our food.
Kevin is working in the processing and distribution segment. This segment takes farm products, processes and packages them for consumers.
A sizable number of businesses and individuals are required for an agriculture industry to exists in a geographical area. But the essential requirement is farmland.
In a given region, enough farmland is needed to sustain enough farmers and farm supply business. To that end our farmland preservation program has preserved over 78,000 acres and our region has preserved over 425,000 acres.
The agriculture/food industry will always have a permanent home in Berks and south central Pennsylvania.
