Nova Scotian farmer gets to know temporary foreign workers in their homeland

It's a "farming adventure" involving a role reversal that has proven beneficial for Nova Scotia's Josh Oultonand the Jamaican men he employs regularly.

Oulton hires temporary foreign workers from the Caribbean country for eight months every year. Some have been coming to his farm inthe Annapolis Valley for a decade.

This year, Oultonislearning more about where his workers come from and how they live.

"It's kind of neat to be transported from our lifethat we know in Canadato this life, and I see that difference." Oultonsays.

Many of the Jamaicans hired byOultonhave their own farms back home andOultonhelps out during his visit. If yams need planting, Oultongrabs a shovel and gets to work. It's a relationship the Canadian farmer is interested in cementing.

"I want to let them know that I'm loyal to them," emphasizesOulton.

Helping each other

Kingsley Cockettlives in Mile Gully, Jamaica, and farmsa steep valley near his home.

Oulton says he'samazed by how much Cockett getsout of every inch of theland.

And Cockettuses some of the techniqueshe learnsin Nova Scotia, such as covering fields with straw to help them retain moisture.

"I'm learning from him and him learn from me," says Cockett.

The money Cockettearns in Nova Scotia helps pay for his children's schooling.It costs the equivalentof$100 Cdna month per student.

Sound familiar?

Cockett's wife,KadionGrant-Cockett, says she's used to her husband's annual departure.

"Almost every person in our community [leaves to work]," noted Grant-Cockett. "All of the men travel, some to Canada, some to America, every lady we call ourselves the single ladies."

Oulton sees parallels between his workers in Jamaica, and people in the Maritimes who travel to Albertato find work.

He says each year a handful ofNova Scotians applyfor a job on his farm in the valley.But he says they oftenquitwhen work becomes available elsewhere.

Oulton sayshe has great respect thework ethic of the men he hires.

"I know how these guys lived and where they grew up, and I don't know, it's just interesting to knowand I get my hands dirty."

Lending a hand

Oultonhastimedhis trip to Jamaica to be as productive as possible.

In the hills near Troy, another one of his workers, Kensley Richards, is adding a room to his house and Oultonspends two days pitching in to help with construction.

For Richards, working in Canada means being able to afford certain things to bringhome.Some of the stuff he's bought in Nova Scoatia has made it back to Jamaica -- including a sound system.

"I have family to take care of," he said. "So I go and work and when the work is finished, you are good to come back home to family, and that is my happy wish."

Future Canadian?

Some of Oulton'sworkerswould like to move to Nova Scotia permanently if they had the chance.Anthony Robinson is one of the youngest workers.

"Yepthere are more opportunities for my kids, educational wise," he said. "I would live in Nova Scotia, I wouldn't mind."

But there's no guarantee Robinson would be granted permission to immigrate to Canada.

And so for now, Robinson is grateful for the relationshiphe has with Oulton in Nova Scotia.

"To come out here andsee how we liveand spend some time with us [and]with our family and friends?That's to show what kind of guy he is," says Robinson. "We respect him for that and we love him for that."