Being a First-Time Farmer
September 2026 Blog
When I picture someone who works on a farm, I see someone surrounded by large fields of crops and armed with enough wisdom about their trade to fill a well. I’ve always associated farming with a deep understanding of the land, large tractors, and hard work. But I’ve never really stopped to think about what it takes to get there. Even the most experienced farmer was once a beginner who had to learn the ups, downs, and full-blown loops that come with farming. Now that I’ve spent a few months working on a farm, I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned along the way.
The first thing I learned at the farm was how to handle the chickens. They are, by far, one of the biggest attractions for newcomers and longtime customers alike. They’re fun to watch as they crow and cluck at each new spectator. But eventually, I had to stop being a spectator and start being a farmer. That meant crossing the white mesh fence and collecting the eggs.
Without a barrier between the 60 birds and me, their otherwise unimpressive ten-inch stature suddenly seemed a lot more intimidating. Every twitch from a rooster put me on edge, and suddenly, collecting a few eggs felt like an expedition into the wilderness.
I remember thinking about all the other animals I’d encountered in my life and realizing that none had ever intimidated me quite like those roosters.
The trick? Be confident and keep going.
It sounds deceptively simple, but a lot of things do until you’re actually in the moment. Watching my coworkers walk into the pen without a care in the world, regardless of which rooster was eyeing them, gave me a much-needed boost of confidence. So, I hiked up the new boots I’d bought for the job and stepped inside. I tried not to worry about the chickens crowding around my feet or the roosters beginning to ruffle their feathers. I kept my eyes on the prize, collected the eggs, and got out of there. Trust me, those colorful eggs tucked away in their baskets are worth the trek.
One tip I learned pretty quickly was that fresh vegetable scraps are a great way to distract the chickens and roosters while I make my way to the coop. Corn, especially, is a crowd favorite.
Everyone knows there’s always work to do on a farm, but knowing that and actually doing the work are two different things. A farmer’s to-do list is practically endless, and on my first day, I was a fresh set of hands and a new source of energy to help get things done.
On an average day, my boss, Michael, walks us through everything he hopes to accomplish, and the list can look a lot like a Thanksgiving grocery list. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed before anyone even picks up a tool. Luckily, we have an entire farm team ready to tackle one task after another, right up until someone’s stomach growls a little too loudly while we’re weeding around the kale.
Our assignments might include preparing new rows for broccoli seedlings, picking peaches from the trees (and perhaps sampling one or two), or tackling the ever-important task of pruning tomato plants in the high tunnel. Every job comes with its own set of instructions, challenges, and opportunities to learn something new. I’ve found that my coworkers are wonderful sources of knowledge and are always happy to share what they know.
These tasks might feel long and tedious if I tackled them alone. But with a team, you’d be surprised by how quickly the hours fly by and how many items disappear from that seemingly endless to-do list. Before I knew it, I was learning new skills, sharing plenty of laughs, and becoming part of the rhythm of the farm.
Another tip I picked up was that a good playlist can make the workday go by even faster. Dolly Parton and Billy Joel are always welcome additions to the farm soundtrack.
I’m sure this list could go on indefinitely because there’s always something new to learn on a farm. No two days are exactly alike, and just when I think I’ve figured
something out, another task comes along to remind me that I’m still learning. Along the way, I’ve gotten better at asking questions and more confident in my ability to take on different tasks around the farm.
One of the best parts of this job is seeing the results of all our hard work show up in the farm store and end up in the hands of happy customers. It reminds me that even the smallest tasks contribute to the bigger picture and help keep the farm running.
I may still have plenty to learn, but I’m beginning to understand that I don’t need to know everything. Every experienced farmer started somewhere, and I’m glad I get to start my journey at Crossroads Farm.
Sincerely,
A First-Time Farmer