Before I applied for the MAST program I was at a point where I was looking to travel, further my farming knowledge and gain new experiences. Once I saw what the MAST program offered I knew it was for me!
I was fortunate to join the ’92-‘93 MAST program, hosted by Skip and Marsha Skattum on their Dairy and crop farm in Adrian, North Dakota from June 11th 1992.
Five months of excellent family and farming experience was enjoyed in North Dakota and many memorable experiences especially the creation of a legendary deer camp. They were kind enough to host my mum and sister in the autumn of 1992. The Skattums have become wonderful family friends visiting us twice in the UK, once in 1994 with their children Arron, Annie and Evan and Skip and Marsha visited again in 2025.
Having left the farm at the end of November, I met up with some feral Aussies and drove to Florida for a month of packing oranges. Spending time with 120 international young farmers in Florida and then in Minneapolis was fantastic fun and we created friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
After my time at the twin cities I moved south for 3 months to spend time on a 1500 cow dairy based in the desert of Arizona .
My final trip in the US was in Ollie’s 1970 yellow Cadillac, 6 days from San Francisco to New York. We drove all day and stopped when it got dark, a fantastic trip and what a way to end a lifechanging year in the USA.
I had been home for about 6 weeks when Ollie rang to say that the ship carrying his Cadillac had landed in France and he wanted to know if I would finish the journey with him and the yellow Caddy back to his farm? Sarah and I joined Ollie for the final leg of the journey.
Thank you to all the MAST staff, hosts and trainees for making all these memories and life changing events possible!
MAST Forever!