Meet Mary Jo Schoonover, Plant Operations Associate
When Mary Jo Schoonover walked into her first job interview in 1976, she had no idea she would spend the next 50 years helping shape the Foremost Farms’ Richland Center plant. Half a century later, she remains a vital part of the cooperative known for her deep knowledge, her commitment to safety and fairness and her genuine care for the people she works with.
Please describe some highlights of your role within Foremost Farms:
I started here in 1976 while I was attending Southwest Technical College for accounting. It was my very first interview, and I was nervous, but I was hired on the spot. I’ve been in the same role ever since: Plant Operations Associate.
The biggest highlight of my role has always been the people. If someone needs help or has a question, I stop what I’m doing and give them my full attention. I always tell people they can reach out anytime. And if I don’t have the answer, I’ll make sure I find it.
I’m also proud of keeping accurate, detailed records. Not everyone has time to read through the union contract or fully understand every policy, so it’s important that we apply the rules consistently and treat everyone the same. That consistency matters, and I’ve always taken it seriously.
How has the plant – or the work itself – changed the most over the last 50 years?
Modernization has changed everything. When I started, we didn’t even have computers, everything was paper and handwritten. Food safety and product protection are also very different. Years ago, you could see milk and cheese moving through parts of the process; today, so much is enclosed, and for good reasons. You don’t want anything to get into the product.
Safety culture has also grown tremendously. Before we even had a dedicated safety supervisor, I handled a lot of the safety work documenting what happened, outlining restrictions and helping prevent injuries. My goal has always been simple: people should go home the same way they came in.
One thing that hasn’t changed is remembering our farmers who make everything possible. That connection has always mattered.
What’s something you’re especially proud to have been a part of during your time here?
I’m proud of Richland Center’s ability to adapt and diversify over the years. When I started, we were making barrel cheddar in steel barrels slightly bigger than garbage cans.
I’m also proud of the role I’ve played in supporting workplace safety, including helping people understand why automation can be a good thing when it prevents injuries and keeps people safe.
And I’m very proud of the Richland Center renewable energy plant that provides electricity to the area. To me, that’s a way of giving back, paying it forward the same way our farmers give to us.
What has kept you here for 50 years? What do you value most about working at the Richland Center plant?
My days go fast because they’re full, and I’ve never been bored. Every day is different, and I like that. I couldn’t do the same thing over and over. I enjoy variety, helping people and solving whatever comes up.
I’ve also stayed because I’ve always felt like part of a good team. Nothing works because of one person; it works because we’re all doing our part, together. In a small community, that teamwork matters even more, because what we do benefits a lot of people.
What I value most is the connection to our farmers and the cooperative. Farmers work 24/7, 365 days a year, and many smaller farms have had to close because it’s hard work and not everyone in the next generation wants to take it on. I have a lot of respect for the people who continue that tradition.
And I love the pride in what we make. It’s something people buy and eat every day. When you think about producing hundreds of thousands of pounds of product a day and what that means in milk, that’s amazing!
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career here?
Learn as much as you can and listen. Ask questions until you truly understand what you’re doing and what’s expected of you. And always put safety first.
Mary Jo is the definition of a dedicated employee. She goes above and beyond for all employees at the plant. She comes in after hours if needed, drives to employees’ homes to deliver documentation and she even threatens to take me to the hospital when I become ill. The Richland Center plant runs as well as it does because of her dedication, and no one here would dispute that.
The Richland Center plant and other members of the cooperative & community, celebrated Mary Jo and her 50 years of service.