“It’s Tough Out There”: Afrikaner Opens Chat About Farming Employment in America

• An Afrikaans man shared on his TikTok account what it was like working in the United States' farming industry
• The man opened the conversation when another TikTokker asked whether people can find employment in that field in the country without experience
• The post attracted several social media users, who showed interest and shared similar stories

While some people are fortunate enough to receive job opportunities in South Africa, other citizens find employment abroad to provide themselves with the desired life.

An Afrikaans man shared his experience working in the United States' farming industry, telling people about his level of qualification and time in the field.

Afrikaner farmer gets candid

Using the handle @h2a_groot_ockert, the man responded to a question about whether people can get work in the States without farming experience.

The Afrikaner stated on his TikTok account:

"Let me answer you honestly: For my first year, in 2021, I went there without experience. I've worked on a farm, mostly in construction and maintenance, but not actual farming."

Read also

"Earn a good salary": Mzansi woman shows mine driver's interesting payslip, SA is intrigued

@h2a_groot_ockert shared that he came across a farmer who wanted people without experience and gained the necessary knowledge while there.

He noted in his second year, a farmer contacted him after reaching out to the previous farmer and wanted him to work for him. He told his next employer he didn't have much experience, which was not an issue.

While the man now had three to four years of experience, he shared that he also went through difficult times, stating:

"It's tough out there. It gets very tough."

Watch the TikTok video below to hear about the man's full experience:

Trump’s order sparks interest in US for Afrikaners

The video shared on 14 March gained a lot of traction on the platform, possibly due to many Afrikaners looking to move to the U.S. This comes after the announcement by US President Donald Trump’s executive order offering refugee status to Afrikaner farmers over alleged discrimination and land issues.

Read also

"I provide vision": Man says wife earning R50k more than husband means nothing in TikTok video

But while that's making waves, the reality for most South Africans working in America is a little different. Many have found opportunities through the US Department of Labor’s H-2A visa programme. It's a legal pathway that lets American farmers hire seasonal workers from abroad. It’s mainly used for agricultural jobs like planting and harvesting crops, helping US farmers deal with labour shortages while offering South Africans a foot in the door.

US job opportunity gets SA talking

Several local members of the online community went to the comment section to express their thoughts about the job opportunity abroad. Some internet users came with questions about the post, while others shared similar events they had experienced.

@madmaxbackup said to the public:

"I also have no experience in farming. I would like to go and learn, but my dream is to stay there and do a lot of work."

@inabates77 shared in the comment section:

Read also

"Earning dollars helps a lot": Afrikaner gets candid about working in US as farmer

"My husband has been doing this for nine years. A few years ago, farmers struggled to find people, and it was easier to find work because the farmer would teach you. Now they can choose because so many are looking for work there."

@conneryrudd stated their opinion, writing:

"You will always learn about farming because the soil and climate of each province and other countries are different."

@frikkie.lucius.sm pointed out with a laugh:

"One of these days or in a few years, half of us will be in another country."

@gunthings added their thoughts to the comments:

"They are asking for five years of experience in agriculture for new applicants nowadays."

Referring to a video game, @porridge_and_meat.2.0 jokingly told the online community:

"Just play a little Farming Simulator, then you're good to go."

3 More stories about Afrikaners and America

• In another article, Briefly News reported about an Afrikaner couple who pleaded with Donald Trump for help as they felt unsafe living in South Africa.
• Another Afrikaner working in the farming industry got candid about finding employment in America and shared two websites he felt helped him gain financial relief.
• South Africans accused Trump of causing division in the country when he launched an initiative to assist Afrikaners who would be placed in South African-based refugee centres.

Read also

"I needed more than R1 million": Woman details getting her 1st tender

Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Source: Briefly News