So it’s April and you just realized you have hardly any time to look for potential summer job options. All of your friends have their summers booked, leaving you bewildered and anxious. Have no fear, because there is always a job waiting for you on a local farm. Farmers are always looking for helpers and strong workers to carry out daily tasks, whether it be for animals, flowers, plants, etc. Here are six reasons why working at a local farm over the summer was the best job I could’ve imagined doing.
1. You get to wake up and see the sunrise
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
To some, this may be absolutely agonizing. Who wants to get up at the crack of dawn? However, it’s always quiet, peaceful, and very relaxing. Being outside at 6am includes early morning birds chirping, sunflowers blooming, and fresh dew on the green grass.
2. You get to see exactly where our food comes from
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
Recently, the food industry has been scrutinized for how the chemicals put into our food negatively affect our health. At an organic farm, there is no worry of dangerous pesticides. You’ll only find homegrown, nutritious foods.
3. You get a nice tan
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
Will you have tan lines? Of course. The cheapest way to achieve a nice, healthy glow is to be outside in nature, and while you are helping out on the farm, time flies by. No need to lay bored by the pool when you could be harvesting veggies.
4. You grow accustomed to eating more healthily
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
Sunflower shoots don’t seem so bland. Arugula really isn’t that bad. You quickly learn the health benefits of eating from the land, and realize that these foods are desired by many people. Chomp away!
5. You may find a new hobby that you really enjoy
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
After I worked on an organic vegetable farm, I realized that gardening is a huge hobby I never thought I’d pursue. Half of the vegetables I had never even heard of, let alone harvested. I now have a good-sized garden on my porch, and have big plans for next summer’s crops. After working for three months on planting, watering, and harvesting an entire farm, starting my own garden was a piece of cake.
6. Your cooking skills and knowledge will go way up
Photo by Olivia Chadwick
While on the farm, I learned that there are countless combinations in the creation of salads, herb-infused entrees, and edible flowers on fancy dishes. Cilantro is a great addition to salsa, micro radishes give salads some variation in color, and rosemary creates some kick-ass chicken.
These are just some of the enticing details of a summer spent outside in nature. There is no better way to increase your well-being and healthy lifestyle than growing your own food, as well as maintaining a successful environment for all sorts of fruits, herbs, and vegetables to grow. And one summer may not be enough. I became addicted and will probably continue growing my own food for the rest of my life.