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‘Mac’ is going back to his rural Canton farm
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
It was the fall of 1995. Roger “Mac” McCabe was just finishing up another harvest on his rural Canton farm. He told his wife he wanted to look for a part-time job to help carry them through the winter months. His wife noticed Woodland Industries was looking for a parttime supervisor. So Mac traveled to Caledonia to fill out an application.
“I was interviewed twice, and then was offered the job. But they never said anything about part-time,” Mac said with a laugh. “So I started working full-time as a developmental supervisor under Janene Hosch. Janene retired two years later, and I was moved up to manager, a position I’ve held ever since.”
Mac’s tenure as manager at ABC Woodland Industries will be coming to an end, as he will be retiring Friday, July 11. Actually, Mac is finally getting that part-time position at Woodland Industries. ABC officials talked him into continuing as a part-time production consultant.
“I’m not real sure what I’ll be doing, but I do know I’ll be able to spend a lot more time on my farm,” he noted.
While working full-time for the past 13 years, Mac continued to operate his 190 acre farm, which includes about 40 beef cows.
“I did the farming in the evenings, on weekends, and on days off. There’s really something I enjoy about being out in the country, working with animals and crops. But I will miss the day-to-day contact I’ve had with my staff, the clients, and all the persons in the area who helped make this program so successful.”
Woodland Industries is a non-profit organization that trains mentally and physically challenged persons, helps them secure jobs, and some are able to become partially or completely self sufficient. Currently, they have about 65 clients.
“Our biggest challenge is to find the right fit, the right situation for our clients,” Mac explained. “Employers in the area have been so supportive of our program. We have clients working in Spring Grove, New Albin, Caledonia, and throughout the area.
“It’s so rewarding when we have clients who come here without any real work skills, are able to get a job, and are able to become independent. To watch these clients grow, gain self esteem, and responsibility is really what has made this job so enjoyable.”
An open house for Mac will be held Tuesday, July 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to give Mac a big send off back to his rural Canton farm.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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