Who works on a vegetable farm

Whilst anyone can work on a vegetable farm, good workers are highly skilled at what they do. Harvesting efficiently and correctly, planting and weeding so that crops survive, quality control of vegetables in the pack shed and using your body correctly to prevent injury while spreading amendments and carrying loads are vitally important skills. 

Most small vegetables farms have farmhands working under a farm manager, and often also a delivery driver. 

Qualities of a good farmhand

To work well as a farmhand you must enjoy working alone much of the time and being self-directed. However, teamwork is also important during tasks like packing veggie boxes or moving tarps or other equipment together. 

You must like working outside in all weather, and can't have a problem with bugs or dirt. In fact you will be filthy after most shifts and your hands will develop rough callouses. 

Farmhands also sometimes have to talk to customers and so must have well-developed customer service and people skills. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about balancing the roles of farm owner/manager and mother. 

This week's recipe links

Coriander Pesto from Taste. 

Healthy Pumpkin Bread from Cookie & Kate. 

Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad from Budget Bytes. 

The Best Baby Kale Salad from Running to the Kitchen. 

More info

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.