I've been working as a farmer as part of a field crew for seven months and it's been one of the best experiences of my life. Yes, it's hard work and yes sometimes I hate it, but I have learned so many positive things, many that have made me a better person.
1. I have learned that I am capable of doing the work. When I first saw the job listing for a farm crew hand I immediately scrolled onward, thinking I could never handle that type of work. It would be too much for me. But because I was up for a challenge, I was able to prove myself wrong. I CAN do it. I can work hard and get my hands (legs, feet, and face too) dirty!
2. I learned that I am capable of getting to know people and making friends. Before getting the job, moving to Vermont, and basically "starting my life", I sat at home and isolated myself because I was afraid to socialize. By working at the farm, it has forced me out of my shell, at least somewhat. I was able to make friends, talk to people, share stories with them, and chat among them without too much effort. Of course some days were (and still are) harder than others, but a vast improvement from six months ago.
3. I learned how to communicate. On top of learning how to interact with other humans, I also picked up the skill on how to communicate effectively with others, especially in order to get things done. No matter who I have to work with or what has to get done, I can now manage to get my ideas across and give direction to others. I learned how to use my voice! I can speak up now, maybe even yell!
4. I learned how to use the produce I was seeding, planting, weeding, and harvesting. I asked, searched, and experimented with almost everything I was growing. I learned how to "eat-with-the-seasons" and how to cook awesome meals for the hubby and me, as well as learning how to preserve certain foods. Among the deliciousness: potato-leek soup, traditional pizza sauce, fresh basil-infused pizza dough, dried herbs (basil, thyme, savory, sage, tarragon, parsley, etc), roasted garlic, pesto, sauerkraut, salsa, and frozen carrots, squash, beets, spinach, peppers.
2. I learned that I am capable of getting to know people and making friends. Before getting the job, moving to Vermont, and basically "starting my life", I sat at home and isolated myself because I was afraid to socialize. By working at the farm, it has forced me out of my shell, at least somewhat. I was able to make friends, talk to people, share stories with them, and chat among them without too much effort. Of course some days were (and still are) harder than others, but a vast improvement from six months ago.
3. I learned how to communicate. On top of learning how to interact with other humans, I also picked up the skill on how to communicate effectively with others, especially in order to get things done. No matter who I have to work with or what has to get done, I can now manage to get my ideas across and give direction to others. I learned how to use my voice! I can speak up now, maybe even yell!
4. I learned how to use the produce I was seeding, planting, weeding, and harvesting. I asked, searched, and experimented with almost everything I was growing. I learned how to "eat-with-the-seasons" and how to cook awesome meals for the hubby and me, as well as learning how to preserve certain foods. Among the deliciousness: potato-leek soup, traditional pizza sauce, fresh basil-infused pizza dough, dried herbs (basil, thyme, savory, sage, tarragon, parsley, etc), roasted garlic, pesto, sauerkraut, salsa, and frozen carrots, squash, beets, spinach, peppers.
5. And probably the most important of the things I learned was how to push through and let go. In the first few weeks of work, I desperately wanted to quit for social reasons (I couldn't figure out how to deal with people!) but I pushed through and didn't let myself quit. I learned how to carry on even when things were hard or I felt useless. I learned how to let things go such as people's comments or actions, and if I did something wrong, I managed to bounce back and still show up the next day. I had turned a page in this area of my life because in the past, if something went wrong or I felt like others didn't like me/need me, I would just quit, walk out, never come back. I learned to move past insecurity and how to stand on my own two feet while using my own unique voice.
The season is coming to an end now, there isn't a lot left to harvest and that makes me sad (it was my favorite task), but I learned that this is okay. For now I can go with the flow, and come back next year if that is where my path leads. If not, at least I got to experience the farm life for a little while, enough to make a much needed impact on my life and mental state.
The season is coming to an end now, there isn't a lot left to harvest and that makes me sad (it was my favorite task), but I learned that this is okay. For now I can go with the flow, and come back next year if that is where my path leads. If not, at least I got to experience the farm life for a little while, enough to make a much needed impact on my life and mental state.
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