Ukrainian Federation of America

THE GREENHOUSE PROJECT

In 2006, while travelling in Ukraine, Dr. Zenia Chernyk and Dr. James Portwood of the UFA met Oleksandr Tomlyak who heads the Ukrainian Greenhouse Association, a league of businesses engaged in the growth of flowers and vegetables for Ukraine and for export. James and Zenia had an opportunity to tour one the greenhouses and were impressed by the state-of-the-art technology, high quality of production, and business savvy. After some discussion, this led to a trip on the part of a 16-member Greenhouse Association delegation during two weeks in October, 2008. A group of business owners and top managers visited the Delaware Valley, Washington D.C., Harrisburg, PA, Penn State University, Cleveland and Toledo, OH. The group came to learn American greenhouse technology and business practices, and to explore purchase of US equipment.

Among the high points of the trip were visits to mushroom farms in Kennett Square, PA, and agricultural research at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. This was the first visit to the United States for many, and they were entertained with stops at Niagara Falls, Washington D.C. and New York City. The Ukrainian American communities of greater Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Washington D.C. met the tour with warm hospitality.

The Ukrainian Federation of America would like to thank the following for making The Greenhouse Project a reality:

Embassy of Ukraine to the US

Office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (Ohio)

Office of Congressman Jim Gerlach (Pennsylvania)

Delaware Valley College

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

Center for Global Trade Development

The Washington Group

The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center of Philadelphia

The Ukrainian American Sports Center-Tryzub

Ukrainian Museum-Archives (Cleveland)

The US-Ukraine Business Council

The US-Ukraine Foundation

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

The Ukrainian Greenhouse Association covered trip expenses.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The UFA Human Resource Management Development program was undertaken with the aim of rebuilding the human resource management profession in Ukraine. Initial stages assessed the current state of the field in Ukraine, and identified available talent that could be tapped to provide training and mentoring for both new and existing HR practitioners. After assessing other options, the decision was made to partner with Lviv Consulting Group (LCG) as the local connection for the project. LCG offered necessary expertise, as well as a broad range of business and professional contacts.

Project partners are presently seeking sites that offer opportunities to pilot test content modules, and develop additional HR program trainers. On a trip to Ukraine in 2006, the project team signed training/consulting contracts with two corporations, Maxwell Biopharmaceutical Company (MBC), and Kombinat Teplichny (KT). Maxwell is a US based pharmaceutical firm that has made one of the largest foreign capital investments in Ukraine so far. KT is a large Ukrainian greenhouse operator. These companies have requested help with both HR process re-engineering and training of its HR professionals. The projects were launched in April 2007 for MBC, and May 2007 for KT. Representatives from KT have also asked for assistance in organizing a self funded study visit to the US to research HR and people management practices of agribusiness operators in this country. This study visit was conducted in Fall 2007.

Inquiries about HRM training programs have also been received from the Information Technology Industry Association of Ukraine, the Kiev Area Worker’s Insurance Agency (Oblast government department), and the Ukrainian Greenhouse Operators Association. Presentations to each of these groups by LCG partners has been scheduled in the next two months.

Overall the HRMD program is shifting into high gear, with the major concern now being how to find/develop the trainers and consultants that will be needed to service the demonstrated demand. The next stage of the project will therefore need to focus on recruiting and/or training additional staff to work with LCG partners. In the short run, it may be necessary to enlist members of the US Ukrainian community with experience in consulting and HR practice to participate in these programs, either directly, or remotely using distance learning technology.

In any case, the program can be termed a definite success in demonstrating the demand for this type of professional development, and in creating programs to address that demand.

MALYNOWSKY FUND

This fund was created in 1993 by Mr. Harry Malynowsky to support nonprofit educational programs.

Mr. Malynowsky was born in Ukraine, September 21, 1919, passed away July 29, 2013 in Howell, Michigan, and was a resident of Howell since 1958. He was a builder and land developer in Warren and Livingston County, Michigan. Mr. Malynowsky was a member of several Ukrainian Associations, including the American Ukrainian Medical Foundation, the Ukrainian National Association and helped start the Ukrainian Self Reliance Federal Credit Union.

INTERNSHIP PROJECT

The UFA through it's Educational program, provides internship opportunities, of various types, both in the United States and in Ukraine. While the internships focus on working with and within UFA in helping to achieve it's goals, much knowledge and experience, both about non-profit and community based organizations can be gained from such internships. Some internships offered through the UFA may be with other partner international and national organizations and businesses, further providing rich experience learning opportunities.