Growing In More Ways than One Ryan’s Journal

As a first-year farm hand, I was overwhelmed at first by the size of the field. I had the realization that the only way this field would be planted was by Andrew and my own bare hands. This should not overwhelm the first year farmer. Take one bed at a time and before you know it, half of your field will be planted. It is a journey watching the field ever expand and become the vision Andrew is dreaming. I never thought I would be so excited to go to work everyday just to see if the seeds we planted the other day had finally popped up. It is quite fun.

Andrew and I have been finding our rhythm. I have found that transplanting is very hard for me and I can only do it for a short while before my lower back starts to hurt. Andrew can also transplant about twice as fast as me. I have been getting much faster and efficient, but I still do not feel very comfortable performing this task. I seem to like the brunt work which involves moving wheelbarrow loads of soil, creating beds, and irrigation work.

Andrew is a super kind farmer and he usually tries to makes the job as easy for everyone else without thinking of himself. He is a truly selfless friend. In the coming weeks I hope to attain the farming touch, with a little practice anything is possible!