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No. 3 – September 20106 pages

www.smithfieldferme.ro

Smithfield Ferme provides employment opportunities for future university graduates

T his year as well, Smithfield Ferme, a continu-ously developing company, will conduct the internal training program for students, initi-ated 5 years ago, throughout which the par-

ticipants acquire knowledge and relevant skills, spe-cific to the company.

The aim of this program is to solve the needs for qualified staff with higher education in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry for the departments of Production, Feed Mill and Land & Nutrient Management within Smithfield Ferme, and to establish whether a compatibility relation exists between the future graduates and the company.

A complete cycle of the internship process lasts for 4 successive years for each participant.

In 2005, 20 students participated in this training during one single summer session, whereas now, the number was increased to two cycles per summer, with the participation of an average number of 15-20 students per cycle.

Over these years, the collaboration between the rel-evant universities from Timişoara and Iaşi turned out to be highly successful. After the presentation of the

program in the universities in the two cities, Smith-field Ferme conducts its selection and recruitment procedures. Throughout the program, the students are employees of Smithfield Ferme, benefiting from all the facilities that the company provides to its em-ployees.

Within each cycle, the training consists of 4 specific modules 101, 102, 103 and 104, developing through-out 4 successive years, the participants not being able to complete two modules within the same year. The duration of a module is 6 weeks, and throughout each module, the distribution of the theoretical and prac-tical knowledge is as follows: 2 weeks B&G, 2 weeks FAR and 2 weeks N&F, the participants changing thus departments every 2 weeks. Module 104 is an exception, as the participants attend the training in one of the beneficiary departments of their choice (Production, Feed Mill, LNM). This module 104 is a terminal one and addresses those who completed the first 3 modules.

“Smithfeld Ferme provides the students in the Roma-nian university centers and not only, with an employ-ment opportunity upon graduation, as well as a means to gain experience in this field. The first generation to have completed all the four modules was in 2009 and we are proud that out of the 9 students who completed module 104, all are currently employees of Smithfield Ferme. This shows that our training program was 100% successful” declares Sorin Lazar, Human Resources Manager, Smithfield Ferme.

Throughout the training sessions, the training co-ordinator supervises and controls the development of this process, by regularly visiting the locations where the internship program is implemented.

“We are satisfied that we have managed to develop this training program for students and provide them with an opportunity to learn from the best specialists of Smithfield Ferme. From one year to another the stu-

dents are better prepared and know what they want from their future career” declares training coordina-tor Claudiu Nişte.

At the end of the training period, the site manager fills in assessment forms for each and every partici-pant and sends them to the training coordinator. In their turn, the participants in the training fill in the feedback form for the training coordinator. This in-formation is centralized and introduced in the pro-gram database, respectively in the personal training file of each participant by the training coordinator.

At the end of each module, the participants receive a diploma certifying the completion of the respective module, with a grade resulting from the assessment made by the managers of the locations where they conducted their activity.

UsefUl information:n The training program is conducted in

two sessions: June 15th – August 1st, Au-gust 1st – September 15th;

n The training consists of 4 modules 101, 102, 103 and 104;

n The duration of a module is 6 weeks, and throughout each module, the dis-tribution of the theoretical and practical knowledge is as follows: 2 weeks B&G, 2 weeks FAR and 2 weeks N&F, the partici-pants thus changing departments every 2 weeks.

Training program for students

Editorial: Together we can make a differenceEditorial by Bogdan Mihail, Smithfield Ferme General Manager

PagE 2

PagE 2Environment & Community: This year, Smithfield Ferme won an Excellence Award for Environmental Protection and Community Involvement!

PagE 4Employee Profile: “Managing a farm like Bacova is an intellectual challenge” Interview with Mircea Belgea, Bacova farm manager

PagE 4CSR/Social: Development of local communities – a constant in Smithfield Ferme’s strategy to come closer to the people

2� De la Ferme Adunate

EDIToRIAl

Environment & CommunityThis year, Smithfield Ferme won an Excellence Award for Environmental Protection and Community Involvement!l Smithfield Ferme received an Excellence Award this year from its parent company, Smithfield Foods, based in Virginia, USA, for its Environmental Protection and Com-munity Involvement programs. The value of the award, USD 2,000, will be donated to the support centre for children with special educational requirements „Pentru un zâmbet de copil” (For a child’s smile) in Maşloc village, Timiş County.l “The Excellence Award for Environmen-tal Protection and Community Involvement granted by Smithfield Foods and won this year by Smithfield Ferme team is a recognition of our efforts in environmental protection, in educating the people around to maintain the environment clean. This award motivates us to further develop these projects and launch new ones, which will help the young genera-tion breathe a cleaner air and live on a greener planet”, declared Mr. Bogdan Mihail, Man-ager of Smithfield Ferme. l The Smithfield Ferme project was de-veloped over one year and included tree planting campaigns, environmental trainings and selective waste collection, a number of information, education and volunteering ac-tions conducted under the aegis of the “Earth Week”, water testing and monitoring actions.

M aybe now more than ever, at the

beginning of this fall, I would like to make a point of being optimist with regard to the fu-ture of our activities, despite the immediate contextual realities.

This year, the produc-ers had to deal with a difficult competition, while proving that they

can find alternative and viable solutions to develop a business dependant on continuous investments and the risk generated by the unpredictability of the agri-cultural cycles. We, at Smithfield Ferme, managed – as proposed, to cut operational costs within the company and increase the production indices and the perfor-mance of all our activities.

This enables us to say that, while we are among those who are trying to successfully overcome the difficul-ties of this period, we are confident in the strength of our company and, furthermore, optimistic about our development potential. We have received yet another

confirmation that we are a solid company, a perform-ing team able to react to any challenges and a market leader with a long-term vision.

The successful continuation of our Contract Growers program, to support local farmers in the development of farms financed with European funds, as well as the population of all our farms and bringing the system at full operating capacity are only two of the good news that make us maintain our optimism.

They add to the recent award for social responsibility programs of Smithfield Ferme, received from our par-ent-company in the United States, Smithfield Foods, in recognition of the actions and activities to support the local communities and their members conducted by our company and Smithfield volunteers in the areas where we operate.

I would like to thank all those who have voluntarily chosen to get involved in the social responsibility pro-grams developed by Smithfield Ferme in the last years. We want to be active members of the community and manage, together, to make a difference, especially where most people have lost hope that changing to the better is still possible.

Bogdan MihailGeneral Manager – Smithfield Ferme

Together we can make a difference

The acquisitions of cereals neces-sary for the production activities of Smithfield Ferme were maintained at the same level as in the previ-ous years, generating an important income source for the farmers in Banat and, at the same time, a con-stant support for the local agricul-ture which can thus find a stable and secure marketplace.

On the other hand, the compa-ny’s agricultural holdings have suc-cessfully used organic fertilization techniques for several years now, thus reducing the risk of soil and underground water contamination with chemical compounds, while maintaining a maximum crop yield, often higher than what is ob-tained on non-fertilized or chemi-cally fertilized lands.

Smithfield Ferme partnership for the purchase of grains

W ith agricultural holdings of more than 10,000 hectares

and direct cereal acquisitions in excess of 250,000 tons every year, Smithfield Ferme remains one of the most important companies op-erating in the field of agriculture, both in the western part of the country, as well as nationwide.

The activity on the cereals mar-ket is particularly complex, espe-cially within the local context, af-fected by tax evasion pressures in the amount of billions of euros, ac-cording to the estimates of the au-thorities. This is one more reasons why we are proud to have trans-parently and competitively suc-ceeded to impose a good practice model in the purchase of cereals on the market in the western part of the country.

Like every year, we restarted the Smithfield Ferme campaign this autumn, in order to purchase cere-als from farmers in Timiş and Arad Counties. In addition to the direct purchasing of wheat, corn and oth-

er cereals for feed production, we continue to be particularly interest-ed in concluding partnerships with the local farmers for permanent cereal purchase, for the best prices on the market. Thus, we ensure, on the one hand, the constant need for raw material in the two feedmills owned by Smithfield Ferme, while we also support farmers, who, by pre-contracting, are protected from potential negative effects of the cereal market volatility.

We are confident that such part-nerships with the local farmers will drive the development conditions for the local agriculture in the west-ern part of the country. We there-fore encourage any partnership rela-tion for the acquisition of cereals on the medium and long term, which can bring both economic and so-cial benefits to the communities where we conduct our activity.

Olimpiu Bejan, Manager Cereal Purchasing – Smithfield Ferme

additional information:Phone.: 0726-100-950 / 0256-27-88-04Email: achizitii.cereale@smithfieldferme.ro

„ We have received yet another conforma-tion that we are a solid company, a per-

forming team able to react to any challenges and a market leader with a long-term vision.

Bogdan Mihail General Manager – Smithfield Ferme: „ The acquisitions of cereals necessary for the pro-duction activities of Smithfield Ferme were main-

tained at the same level as in the previous years, generating an important income source for the farmers in Banat.

Olimpiu Bejan Manager Achiziții Cereale – Smithfield Ferme:

l “Environment and community involvement are essential components of Smithfield’s CSR and sustainable development programs and we are proud of our achievements in Roma-nia. You have a model of community involve-ment which can become a model for other companies in the Smithfield family”, declares David Townsend, Environmental Affairs, Smithfield Foods.

No. 3 – September 2010 3

FARM UPDATE

n Smithfield Ferme, as a continous devel-opment company, is concerned not only

with securing its future specialists, but also with training the present ones, so as to develop their leadership and management skills.

„ We want these courses to be an investment in the development of our employees.

Sorin Lazăr Human Resources Manager – Smithfield Ferme:

Mihaela Blidaru, student (Faculty of Veterinarian Medicine and Animal Husbandry – Timişoara)

Mircea Bîtcă, ISo 22000 implementation project coordinator:

« By the end of 2010, Smithfield Ferme intends to obtain the Food Safety Management System certification »

I t is a known fact that Smithfield Ferme is the largest pork pro-

ducer in Romania and uses state-of-the-art technologies in feeds production and swine growing. For these considerations, the com-pany wants to prove that it is able to provide safe products in terms of food safety, for the food chain segment it operates on: growth and trading of live pigs. To achieve this, the company needs to imple-ment the international standard ISO 22000:2005, which will add even greater value to its processes and products.

The HACCP Plan (Hazard Analy-sis Critical Control Point) is the reference document for the per-manent monitoring of critical con-trol points (CCP) identified by the application of the decisional tree according to Codex Alimentarius - Codex Alinorm 97/13.

”Smithfield Ferme started the implementation of this interna-tional standard in the first quarter of 2010, in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinarian Medicine from Timişoara, and set out that, by the end of the year, it would imple-ment and obtain the Food Safety Management System certification according to ISO 22000:2005. By implementing the requirements of ISO 22000 standard we can state that we meet all the food safety re-quirements for providing products which are safe for the consumer’s health, throughout the entire chain up to the last stage of swine pro-duction. Thus, we can say that we are the best and, last, but not least, we produce the best”, declares Mir-cea Bîtcă, ISO 22000 implementa-tion project coordinator.

The implementation of ISO 22000:2005 standard provides the company with an organizational framework to identify, assess and control any potential food safety dangers by specific operation pro-cedures.

Smithfield Ferme, as a continous development company, is con-cerned not only with securing its

future specialists, but also with training the present ones, so as to develop their leadership and management skills.

As of last November, Smithfield Ferme, through its HR department, started the internal training program «Effective Management», organiz-ing ongoing development and train-ing courses aimed at transferring the required management knowledge to those who are in a leadership posi-tion or aspire to a managerial position. This training program for managers is based on a similar project, success-fully implemented for many years by Smithfield Foods, the parent company of Smithfield Ferme from Timis, the program enjoying therefore interna-tional recognition of the applicability of the methodologies taught during the trainings.

The internal training program «Effec-tive Management» addresses all Smith-field Ferme employees in managerial positions or with managerial potential, as well as those functions with direct re-

ports who want to develop or improve their management techniques and the way they can become more efficient.

“effective management” – an investment under development

The sectoral objectives of this train-ing include: understanding and apply-ing the principles of proper motivation; adopting an adequate management style; efficient task allocation; efficient planning of projects and timeframe required to achieve them; influencing and developing the staff, as well as ef-ficient communication.

After graduating from this course, topics such as: conflict management, communication skills, motivation,

conduct, delegation, planning and control, will no longer be a prob-lem for the managers and employees who joined the program. Combining theory with practice and analysis of concrete managerial decision-making situations, the «Effective Management» program is the perfect lab for the situ-ations which may arise in a manager’s leadership activity.

„With these trainings, we aimed at improving the quality of the manag-er-employee relationships. Managers need to understand that each activ-ity should be approached in a specific manner. We are certain that the future trainings will be at least as successful as those developed so far. We want these courses to be an investment in the development of our employees.”, declares Sorin Lazăr, Human Resourc-es Manager, Smithfield Ferme.

To date, 30 managers, employees of Smithfield Ferme, completed the courses of this internal training pro-gram, considering the information gained within the «Effective Manage-ment» training sessions very useful for their professional development.

Management Trainings on «Effective Management»

Smithfield Ferme managers to improve their management techniques

“The internship helped me acquire experience”

Why did you choose to follow an internship with Smithfield Ferme?

The internship with Smithfield Ferme seemed to be an interesting offer to gain experience in my activity field, which was also confirmed after completing it.

What module seemed most interesting to you? Which one gave you the opportunity to acquire more experience?

I completed three modules: 101,102 and 103, and found 102 most interest-ing because I understood much better the productive cycle of a farm, at the

end of the technical and practical train-ing period.

Where would you like to work? In a feedmill or at a farm?

Even though the activity within feed-mills is definitely more challenging from a professional viewpoint, as attention and precision are essential, I would like to work in a farm because it is the profes-sion I chose and love.

How did you work with Smithfield Ferme employees these years?

I became part of the team immediate-

ly. My colleagues from Smithfield were very open – they helped every time I needed a clarification.

Would you recommend to other colleagues of yours to follow an internship with Smithfield?

Absolutely, it is a useful experience for their future, a first contact with the reali-ties of an activity requiring a lot of atten-tion and passion, as well as continuous training and desire for development.

How do you see your career 5, re-spectively 10 years from now?

I see myself working as a veterinarian in a farm where I can put my knowledge into practice.

Why did you choose this career?Simply passion – because I like it very

much!

Mihaela Blidaru is one of the more than 100 students who, as of 2005, participated in the internal training program of Smithfield Ferme. A future veterinarian, Mihaela would rather work in a farm and not a feedmill after her graduation. She likes the veterinarian profes-sion, and the trainings of Smithfield Ferme helped her understand better the productive cycle of a farm.

4� De la Ferme Adunate

PRoJECTS

Experiment

MOST COMMITTED EMPlOyEEMr. Mihai ALDA and Mrs. Rodica BUIA were designated as The Most Committed Employees within Smithfield Ferme

MR. MIHAI AlDA was chosen The Most Committed Employee due to the support provided for the feedmill of Pădureni. The use of his academic experience and own scientific works helped the feedmill of Pădureni achieve the highest standards required by the legislation in force on animal feeds. We would like to Mr. Alda for this achievement.

MRS. RODICA BUIA was recognized throughout the years due to her spe-cial achievements in the monitoring and coordination of daily activities related to financial and accounting transactions. In addition to that, her active involvement in setting/imple-menting IT systems as well as docu-ment and information flows quali-fied her, once more, to be designated as The Most Committed Employee.

The members of the volunteers’ team of PERIAM farm were also designated winners in this cat-egory. They were appreciated due to their special involvement in volunteering actions within the Smithfield Ferme Program “Back to School”. We hope we will have more and more colleagues like them who, out of passion, take part in the company’s social responsibility actions on a volun-tary basis.

I n September, Smithfield Ferme tested the latest ap-plication technologies for organic fertilization in the field of organic fertilization, including a com-

prehensive fertilizer transportation system. A first test, which lasted about one month, was fi-

nalised at a farm in Bulgăruş, on an area of 103 ha. The test revealed several benefits.

The main benefit is that it improves the organic fer-tilizer application system, gaining precious time in production. The very good working consistency and diminution of soil compression are other benefits of this technology. Another advantage would be that due to this equipment, the fertilizer is integrated fully and rapidly, owing to the attached disk system.

“We are thus trying to reduce the application time, so that the farmers can intervene more rapidly and seed their crops in a timely manner”, declared Ovid-iu Ţimbota, Head of the Agriculture Department within Smithfield Ferme.

„ We are thus trying to reduce the application time, so that the farmers can intervene more

rapidly and seed their crops in a timely manner.

Ovidiu Ţimbota Head of the Agriculture Department – Smithfield Ferme:

Smithfield Ferme’s representative was not the only person satisfied with the outcomes of the tests run on the equipment, but also the principal commissioner of the Timis Environment Authority.

“We appreciate the interest shown by Smithfield Fer-me in investing in new technologies which contribute to a more efficient fertilization of agricultural lands, mainly with regard to the spreading of the fertilizer on the agricultural area”, declared Marian Eperieş, Chief Commissioner of the Timis Environment Authority.

Smithfield Ferme has invested over 500 million dollars in Romania with the aim of contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture and ani-mal husbandry.

We are looking forward to the pictures and drawings of your little ones, so we invite you to write to us at: Smithfield Ferme, Bd. Cetăţii 7-9, Timişoara or: Andrada.Calancea@smithfieldferme.ro

CoMPETITIon“Best piglet drawings”Children between 3 and 14 years of age had the opportunity to participate in the piglet drawing competition organized by Smithfield Ferme. The jury selected 4 winners:l Formagiu Maya (3 years old): 1st Prizel Popa Radu Luca (3 years and 7 months old):

1st Prizel Bordianu Anca (8 years old): 1st Prizel Bordianu Flavia (8 years old): 1st PrizeAll four winners will receive a complete painting set and fruits.

The contest will continue in the following issue!

Popa Radu-Luca

Bordianu Flavia

Formagiu Maya

Bordianu Anca

The youngest of us...

Țintoi Roxana Maria

5 aniShe is passionate about music, dance, cartoons and wants to become a kindergarten educator or animal doctor.

Denis Țimbota4 years and 7 months old

He likes cars and wants to become an airplane pilot,

sportsman or engineer.

Radu Andrei Micota

3 years old

He likes trains and playing with the boll.

organic fertilisationwith one of the most modern technologies available within the EU

EMPlOyEE OF THE MONTHMr. VASILE IEZAN is the employee of the month of September. Mr. Iezan managed to develop and to implement the planning process for swine delivery to the slaughterhouse, as well as between farms. Congratulations!

No. 3 – September 2010 5

EMPloYEE PRoFIlE

„ The investment made for the acquisition of ventilation sys-

tems was one of the best decisions for Smithfield Ferme.

Mircea Belgea Bacova Farm Manager: „ I want to create an optimum work-ing environment for each and every

employee by providing them with informa-tional, learning and technical support.

Mircea Belgea Bacova Farm Manager:

For the safety of the employees and their loved ones, starting with the fiscal year 2010, Smithfield Ferne concluded an insurance policy for all company employees. As part of the benefits package, the insurance policy covers 24 hours out of 24, in case of accident, the following situations:

l Surgical interventionsl Hospitalization allowancel Partial permanent invalidityl Total permanent invalidityl Death

For additional information, you can contact the Human Resources Department.

Editor in chief: Andrada Calancea Editorial group: Sorin Lazăr, Claudiu Nişte, Mircea Bîtcă, Ovidiu Țimbota Photo: Mugurel Prodan Editorial consultant: PRAIS Corporate Communications

Editorial Office: Smithfield Ferme, Bulevardul Cetăţii; Nr. 7-9

Phone: 0256 27 88 02; Fax: 0256 490 614andrada.calancea@smithfieldferme.ro

www.smithfieldferme.ro

De la Ferme Adunate

“De la ferme adunate” is a publication made by PRAIS Corporate Communica-tions for Smithfield Ferme. Any reproduction of the text or images from this

publication, without the agreement of Smithfield Ferme, is forbidden.

© 2010 All rights reserved.

Mircea Belgea is only 27 years old and has been managing for a few months one of the biggest Smithfield farms in Romania. A zootechnical engineer by profession, Mircea Belgea wants to create an optimum working environment for every em-ployee at Bacova Farm by providing them with informational, learning and techni-cal support. He admits that managing a large farm like Smithfield Ferme Bacova is an intellectual challenge in solving production issues.

“Managing a farm like Bacova is an intellectual challenge”

Interview with Mircea Belgea, Bacova farm manager

How long have you been work-ing for Smithfield Ferme?

I have been working for Smith-field Ferme as a zootechnical en-gineer for 4 years, more precisely since August 2006, a position that I got following a job interview.

How long have you been in this farm manager position?

I was promoted as farm manager this year, on June 1st. I can say that commitment and experience in the field were an advantage in my promotion as farm manager.

How does a day in your life as a farm manager look like?

My daily activity is currently focused more on improving the farm performances, finding the best solutions to the problems that may appear during the day.

You manage one of the biggest farms of Smithfield Ferme. What does that mean to you?

Managing a large farm like Smithfield Ferme Bacova is an in-tellectual challenge in solving pro-duction issues.

How easy/difficult is it to be a farm manager? What are the main problems you have to deal with?

Due to the experience acquired in the 4 years spent within the company, I believe that solving the issues one-by-one is the best so-lution. Communication with the other departments and my rela-tions with the subordinates help me solve any production-related issue.

What would be the measures that need to be taken (and do

a memorable moment that has brought me intellectual and pro-fessional satisfaction.

You coordinate more than 50 employees. How do you manage to create an optimum working environment for each and every employee?

Bacova Farm has 53 employees. Personally, I want to create an op-timum working environment for each and every employee by pro-viding them with informational, learning and technical support.

What kind of relation do you have with the employees? Is it just a professional relation? (Do you get involved in solving the employees’ personal problems?)

My relation with the employees has a professional nature. So as not to create an unpleasant atmo-sphere within the team, every em-ployee can come to me whenever they are concerned about personal problems.

What are the benefits of an em-ployee of BACOVA farm?

Permanent communication within the team and good work-ing conditions are just some of the benefits of an employee at Bacova farm.

How do you spend your spare time?

I spend my spare time with my 4-month old daughter, as she is my main occupation.

What are your future plans? How do you see yourself five years from now?

I want to progress professionally, striving for perfection.

“I want to create an opti-mum working environment for each and every employ-ee by providing them with informational, learning and technical support.”

Insurance policy for Smithfield Ferme employees!

NAME: Belgea FIRST NAME: MirceaAGE: 27MARITAl STATUS: married, a 4-mon-th old daughterEDUCATION:• 2001-2006: Zootechnical Engineer,

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat Timişoara, Faculty of Animal Husban-dry and Biotechnologies, Specialized in Animal Husbandry;

• 1997-2001: Agricultural High School of Timişoara – specialization: veteri-narian.

HOBBy: chess, hiking

not depend on you) so as to de-velop the activity sector?

I can say that the investment made for the acquisition of venti-lation systems was one of the best decisions for Smithfield Ferme.

What was the most memorable moment you have experienced in your profession/ farm activity?

I believe that my appointment as manager of Bacova farm was

Has been designated asThe farm with

the highest production performances

Farm oF the month

GAtAiA Veche Finishing Farm

I can say that

6 De la Ferme Adunate

CSR/SoCIAl

Development of local communities – a constant inSmithfield Ferme’s strategy to come closer to the people

n In supporting these communities, Smithfield Ferme implements programs

related to fostering economic development, environmental protection, access to educa-tion, local traditions and customs.

n Smithfield Ferme is a company which develops continuously,

with the aim of also achieving the same development for the communi-ties where it operates.

NEW – “Green campaign“ on selective collection and recycling of paper and plastic waste

As of this August, Smithfield Ferme

employees participate in a new environmen-tal protection pro-gram consisting of selective collection and recy-cling of paper and plastic waste. Once the school year begins, the pilot program will be extended to the school in Bacova. The money obtained as a result of the green campaign will be invested in the purchase of bins so as to be able to extend the program in all Smithfield Ferme locations.

S tarted in 2007, “Back to School“ Program continues this year as well, the children from the

villages where Smithfield has farms or feedmills looking forward to the arrival of Smithfield caravan. Un-

til this autumn, around 6,000 children from more than 36 villages of Timiş and Arad County received school supplies, pencil boxes and backpacks. With-in the same program, at the end of each school year, Smithfield Ferme awarded the best achievers in the 1st to 8th grade. The awards, consisting of books – titles included in the specific bibliography of each grade, encyclopedias and albums, were granted at the beginning of summer, to more than 300 pupils in the villages of Maşloc, Cenei and Niţchidorf. The pupils with special educational requirements from the Centre “Pentru un zâmbet de copil” (For a child’s smile) in Maşloc village were not forgotten either, each of them receiving a book with an audio CD.

At the beginning of this school year, the program

“Back to School“ Program – support to children in Smithfield community

Support to preserve local traditions

The involvement of Smithfield Ferme in the local communities does not have only an economic component, but also an educa-tional part. Thus, we are trying to preserve and pass on the local tra-ditions and customs from one gen-eration to another. In the months of June and July, Smithfield Ferme was involved in the organization of several local celebrations: Bacova – on the occasion of the Open Day, Boldur – on Youth Day (June 20th), Gătaia Town Days (July 9th). In Sep-tember as well, celebrations like Ruga de la Birda (September 8th) and “Flori de Sanziene  » Festival, Bârsa in Arad County (September 12th) will also benefit from the sup-port of Smithfield Ferme.

Information, education and volunteering actions on the International Earth Day

Under the aegis of the “Earth Week“, more than 500 pupils – 1st to 12th grades in 8 villages in Timiş County participated, in the period April 19th to 23rd, 2010, in a se-ries of information, education and volunteering actions. The event supported by Smithfield Ferme was organized by the High School of Buziaş, in partnership with the schools from Buziaş, Bacova, Bol-dur, Chevereşul Mare, Niţchidorf, Racoviţa, Mosniţa, Tormac. The ac-tions consisted in organizing exhi-bitions of drawings, costumes and boards made of recyclable mate-rials, literary works on the topic of the “International Earth Day“, sports and skills contests, contests on the development of scale mod-els with the topic “Animal world“ and artistic moments and sketches, all under the umbrella of the “Earth Week“. On this occasion, informa-tional materials about waters were

Support for people with intellectual disabilities

In 2010, Smithfield Ferme con-tinued to support people with in-tellectual disabilities by sponsor-ing the sixth edition of the Special Olympics Regional Games – for the Western region of the country.

The competition addressed people with intellectual disabilities over 16 years of age and included five trials: athletics, football, table tennis, basketball – shooting the ball and basketball – target throws.

More than 350 1st to 4th graders and children of Smithfield Ferme employees attending ecology classes

In the school year 2009-2010, for several weeks, more than 350 1st to 4th graders, as well as

children of Smithfield Ferme employees, partici-pated in courses about the environment and se-lective waste collection organized by Smithfield Ferme and the teachers of 11 schools in Timiş and Arad Counties within the national initiative “Your World? Clean!”.

The program, implemented locally by Smith-field Ferme, will continue this autumn with the third edition, informing the pupils about envi-ronmental protection and waste recycling by means of courses, books, brochures and post-ers about environment and selective waste col-lection, distributed to the pupils and teachers in the participating schools. In the school year 2010-2011, the program will be extended to 4 other schools, more villages in Timiş and Arad counties, the number of the schools involved in the program amounting to 15. The program supported by Smithfield Ferme is part of the national initiative “Your World? Clean!” initiated by PRAIS Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Environment and the School Inspec-torate of the Municipality of Bucharest, aimed at developing a civic responsible behavior among the young generation, while promoting modern learning methodologies for pupils.

continued with its fourth edition, more than 3.500 pupils in 40 schools (1st to 8th grades) and kin-dergartens of the rural communities in Arad and Timiş counties receiving school supplies: back-packs, fully equipped pencil boxes and time tables with advice for a healthy lifestyle and a balanced nutrition, manuals and books, while preschoolers received supplies for the teaching activities. Com-pared to the previous editions, the program was extended to cover the employees’ children as well. Thus, 130 pupils received a backpack and a pencil box equipped with 31 pieces.

distributed, followed by discus-sions during biology classes, and cleaning and tree planting actions were organized in the parks.