Farmer hires refugees

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By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: May 26, 2009 at 12:08 PM EST

Story Updated: May 26, 2009 at 4:42 PM EST

ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - David Schieferstine, a Rome dairy farmer recently hired two Burmese refugees from Utica to work at his farm.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County worked with Oneida County Workforce Development to find Ah Lu and Pah Lu. The two are unrelated but were the only ones out of nine who toured the farm who volunteered to enter a work program.

According to county officials, the money to pay for their on the job training comes from workforce investment training funds.

After six weeks, Schieferstine says that things have gone well.

"They pick up things fast, even with a communication problem we can teach them what we need to teach them, there's been a few times when they may be a little problem..."

Cornell officials say they want to expand the program in the coming years if this pilot program continues to progress.

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