Wendy Allen

La Crosse, Wis.

Public Affairs Associate
at CROPP Headquarters in La Farge

Why did you decide to come to work at CROPP? 
I went to UW-L in La Crosse and fell in love with the area and really wanted to stay, so I gave my resume to a rep. at a job fair. I knew nothing about organic food at the time, but I was enthusiastic to learn, and I was impressed with the casual atmosphere. (While waiting for my interview, I saw someone walking around barefoot and immediately thought "I could work here!") I started after graduating in 2006 as an intern and was officially hired on in January 2007.  

How long have you been with CROPP?  
Since January 2007

Why do you like working at CROPP?   
It makes me excited to work for a company that is casual and has more than the bottom line in mind. Even as an intern, I always felt like my views were listened to and respected 

What’s your favorite perk/benefit? 
Flexible hours/ability to work from home, and free fitness classes with certified fitness instructors. It makes such a difference to have the opportunity to work out over the noon hour or after work.  

What’s your favorite Organic Valley or Organic Prairie product?  
The new flavored creamers. I've been hoping for them for years! 

Describe your typical workday at CROPP: 
I arrive between 8:15 and 9am (work hours are flexible, which is HUGE for me), get coffee (it's free :) and check emails. My work typically centers around emails and writing projects, so sometimes I'll take my computer to a couch or the cafeteria for a change of scenery. Over the noon hour I attend a fitness class to get the blood moving (I teach kickboxing and strength & tone, and we also offer noontime Zumba, Yoga and Pilates. This winter, we started organizing short noontime XC/Snowshoe hikes too). The afternoon is typically meetings and more computer work, sometimes a walk outside on warm days. I usually work until 4:30 or 5, and twice a week I teach a Cardio Kickboxing class from 5-6pm (another employee-instructor teaches Zumba twice a week as well!)

Describe your commute: 
I live in La Crosse, so it's a 40-50 minute drive depending on the weather. Even though the drive is long, I love the La Crosse area since it has a lot to do, and I have a close group of friends there. Many employees take a CROPP-sponsored vanpool or other informal carpool from La Crosse, which makes the commute more affordable. I have after work commitments which keep me from vanpooling, but I actually enjoy the drive—I listen to a lot of audio books and pod casts, and I value the alone time to gear up for and de-stress from the day. 

What other types of jobs have you held? 
This is my first job out of college, and because of this, I now consider myself spoiled since we have such flexibility, casual dress, benefits like free fitness classes during and after work and an organic cafe, and I very much enjoy working for a company that has more than profit in mind—farmers come first. 

What are your other interests or hobbies? 

I teach fitness classes for CROPP and around the area, traveling, writing, hiking, snowshoeing, downhill skiing (we have a small hill in La Crosse), motorcycling, dark beer, good wine, and cooking meals with friends. I am trying to find someone to teach me the harmonica.