Close to 100 people attended Fieldale Farms’ annual employee recognition service.
It was standing room only at the Community House in Cornelia recently as Fieldale Farms honored 89 employees for their years of service and dedication. The Habersham County-based poultry company hosted a reception on Nov. 4 to honor those who have have worked at Fieldale 25 years or longer. The employees also received gifts.
Sherri Purcell of Clarkesville received a watch for her 25 years of service. She called the reception, “Very, very nice.” Tony Bennett of Baldwin has been with Fieldale for 30 years. He started out as a line employee packing chicken and now works as a lab technician. “I’ve seen a lot of things change through the years – good changes – and I’m just happy to be a part of it.” Bennett says he never imagined he’d work for the same company for three decades but says it’s been a good experience. “It’s a great company to work for. They’ve taken well care of me and my family and that says a lot.” Bennett enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones at the reception. He got to choose from among several gift items. Bennett chose a Tiffany lamp pointing out, “It’s for my wife.”
And the stories of dedicated service continue
Martha Smith of Alto has worked at Fieldale for 35 years. She began her career as a cutter on the line and now is a multi-vac packer. “It’s provided a living,” she says. “The people are friendly and I enjoy my work.” Smith adds, “I think it’s wonderful that a company will recognize people that have been with them so long.” Smith received a mantle clock for her years of service. It also was a parting gift of sorts; Smith plans to retire at the end of this year.
Gladys Christian of Toccoa began working at Fieldale the same year Smith did. Through the years she’s worked her way up from packing chicken to inspecting the product. “I didn’t think I’d be with the company this long,” she says. “When they told me 35 years I was like, ‘Wow!'” Christian plans to stay on at Fieldale for at least another five years. If she does that she’ll get to enjoy another reception and gift. Employees are honored for every five years of service beginning with year 25.
This is Larry Joe Moody’s fourth recognition service. Moody has been with Fieldale for 40 years. When asked what’s kept him there so long he says, “Well, it’s a good place to work and they’ve been good to me, so, I’ve just stuck with them.” Moody, who lives in Alto, went to work for Fieldale in 1974. His first job was hanging live chickens on the back dock. Now he’s a purchasing agent for the company. “I’m satisfied with all the years I’ve put in,” he says reflecting back on his time with Fieldale. “I’m real glad I’ve stuck with them 40 years and, hopefully, I’ll be with them a few more years.”
A family business
It’s not often that you see company executives sit down to talk with, let alone, eat with employees but on Nov. 4 at the Community House it was difficult to distinguish the suits from the line workers. Fieldale Farms CEO Gus Arrendale and Vice-Chairman of the Board Joe Hatfield both attended the reception. Their fathers, Tom Arrendale and Joe Hatfield, Sr., founded the company along with Tom’s brother, Lee Arrendale. The family tradition that began more than fifty years ago here in the hills of Habersham continues today.
Fieldale is one of the largest family-owned companies in Georgia and Gus Arrendale says its employees are part of the family. “All of our employees are treated just like it’s their own and nothing tickles me more than coming to work and supplying jobs for people and putting out the best quality product that there is on the market.”
When asked why Fieldale honors it long-time employees this way Hatfield says, “Why not? I mean, they’re the ones that built this company. We can sit up here every day and make decisions but without the people in this room this company doesn’t run.” Hatfield continues, “My father, Gus’ father and John’s father (Lee Arrendale), all three of them set a trend of caring. Caring for the community, be it here in Habersham or be it in Hall. That is what has gained, I hope, the respect of the employees and the dedication.”
Gus Arrendale called the Nov. 4 reception a great event. He says, “We think it shows what a great company we are to work for and what great people that we have that work for us.”
