“Robben Ranch felt it was important to educate and help all our employees get the vaccination”

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Robben Ranch in Dixon recently opened their barn doors to more than cattle and tractors. They hosted a vaccination clinic and added a rummage sale and food give-away also.

Gene and Liz Robben have owned the ranch for 40 years and grow hay, alfalfa, tomatoes, sunflowers, and beans but they also have orchards and cattle. The Robbens--along with long-time ranch assistant Julie Berlin--share a motto of taking care of their 75 employees and went a step beyond when they organized the event.

“A lot of our employees were nervous and didn’t know where to go. It was so nice to be able to help provide this for not only employees but their family members over 18,” said Liz who volunteers at the Cornerstone Church in Dixon and often helps with their food bank. “Robben Ranch felt it was important to educate and help all our employees get the vaccination.”

They also extended the invite to nearby ranches and farms and their employees. Ninety people participated and 100 percent returned for the second dose. For the first shot clinic in April, the company held a “free” garage sale for all the workers that came.

“We received donations from Robben Ranch office staff and management,” said Liz. “This went over extremely well. We had household items and lots of clothes for all the families to choose from.”

For the second shot clinic held just last week, Solano County Food Bank donated a box packed full of canned goods, pastas and treats for each person that received their shot. The County also provided $20 Raley’s gift card for each recipient.

“It is a great motto to value your employees,” said Berlin about the Solano County Farm Bureau coordinating the vaccinations. “The majority of our workers have employee housing. We’re part of a community and farmers give back. We hear good things about other farmers. If employees are happy and healthy at home, they will do that much better at work.”

Schene Enterprises, E and H Farms, and Lowrie Trucking employees and their families participated as well.

“It has been very hard to find farm labor in recent years,” said Liz. “We have started bringing workers here on the Federal Government H2A Temporary Worker Program. They are here for anywhere from six months to three years and live in employer-provided housing. A lot of them get off the plane with just one backpack," she added. That’s why they wanted to help more.

“We thank Cornerstone Church here in Dixon as they have a local pantry that has been very generous to the migrant community here in Dixon,” said Liz. “This is another great resource our community provides.”