WHEEL Program Spanish Classes Improve Workplace Communication

On May 3rd, WHEEL program students graduated from the Spanish Language Learning Program held at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Participants in the program were Sonoma County professionals wanting to expand their ability to speak Spanish.

“I had quite a few years of High School and College Spanish and it was nice to get a refresher – work on past and future tense and agriculture industry vocabulary,” said Brad Petersen of Fall Creek Vineyards & Rawah Vineyards. “[The teacher] Lorri did a great job of adapting the class to what each student needed from beginner to advanced level. It was very well tailored to the grape industry specifically and the agriculture community in general.”

Mike Meyer of Meyer Farming developed his Spanish language skills from the ground up. “I came in not knowing anything – pointing to give direction – and now I can give my crew direction over the phone,” said Mike. His WHEEL experience even initiated a culture of daily learning: “Now the crew speaks to me in Spanish and I say it back in English.”

The Metro Chamber’s WHEEL program was hosted in coordination with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. A special thank you to program sponsors PG&E and American AgCredit. For more information about the Chamber’s WHEEL program, contact Ananda Sweet at (707) 636-3662.