How do I get real farming experience?

[sheffy4]

Hello Forum-ites,

I'm hoping there are some farmers out there who could drop a few pearls of wisdom in my path. Recently I've felt a strong interest in farming/ranching. I know a lot of you are probably vegetarian/vegan, but I just want to make it known that I am interested in raising both plants and animals.
My grandparents are cattle ranchers about 400 miles away, and the few friends I've told about my farming interest have suggested I try to live and work with them for a few months, but for a few reasons I've resisted it. I think the main reason is I want to feel like I am doing something without the help of family, instead, venturing out and seeing how I do among strangers and things that aren't familiar to me. Still, asking the grandparents if I could work with them might still be the best idea I have.
I've looked online, and it seems that lots of farms actually have internships, which is pretty much what I was looking for. I want to work and learn on a farm for a few months (maybe longer) to see if I actually enjoy it, and if I do, see if I can somehow make a living at it. However, a lot of the internships require the applicants to have farming/ranching experience, which I don't have. I emailed one farm that sounded great, and didn't require experience, but after a couple weeks I have not heard anything back. I know they must be busy, but still I was hoping to get a response from them.
Anyway, do any of you work a farm or ranch? How might I get some experience in this area to see if it's something I would want to do?

[Rob Ozanne]

So, you want some experience in this area to see if it's something you want to do. You sent an email to a farmer and have spend the past couple of weeks waiting.

I get that you want to have independance from family, but to move forward with this area of life it sounds like you need experience. If you went to your grandparents a couple of weeks ago you would probably already know if the lifestyle is for you.

You could always apply for internships whilst spending a trial few weeks or a month getting experience at your grandparents.

How about keeping it simple? What is most important to you - is it being independant of family, or getting the experience and moving forward with your career?

[ssandra]

From what I gather about farming would be that they are very hands on people.

Why not go to one of the farms already in your old clothes ready to work. Tell them your plans for the future, and ask if you can work for 1 day for free to show them what you are capable of, even if you have no experience.

After this one day they can decide if they want to hire you as an intern or not.

Alternatively, work with your grand parents for a few months, to get the experience, and after that you can apply for the other internships.

but again, instead of emailing, I would just go there in person.

[sheffy4]

Originally Posted by Rob Ozanne

What is most important to you - is it being independant of family, or getting the experience and moving forward with your career?

Now that you put it like that, I'm not really sure why I want to do this without my family. Pride, or something like that? But in the end, what difference does it make how I do it? I guess part of it also is that I'm afraid they wouldn't take me seriously, or that perhaps I would just be in their way. But I guess I just shouldn't worry about stuff like that, and just take the plunge.
It would be a better opportunity to strengthen my relationship with my grandparents anyway, in addition to exploring a new way of living.

[Gene]

Farming is a huge profession. What kind of farm attracts you to want to work there? Cattle, sheep, chickens, hog, vegetable, Small grains such as wheat, corn and soybeans?

Before you can decide how to become involved in farming I believe you need to know what type of farming you are attracted to work with.

Do you like working with your hands or do you prefer to operate large machines? Are you put off by the smell of chicken, hog or cow manure? Do you like doing hard physical labor in the hot sun 14 hours a day during the busy season?

Ask yourself these questions and more then decide if you are still interested in becoming a farmer. I think a week or two on your families farm might bring you information and clarity about your desires and options.

[Talkofthatown919]

i'd suggest you to go work and live with your folks for a few months. They are family and not some stranger you've never met. I'm pretty sure they'd be willing to help you more than you could imagine. (Taking a keen interest in farming as they are doing)

[Rob Ozanne]

Originally Posted by sheffy4

Now that you put it like that, I'm not really sure why I want to do this without my family. Pride, or something like that? But in the end, what difference does it make how I do it? I guess part of it also is that I'm afraid they wouldn't take me seriously, or that perhaps I would just be in their way. But I guess I just shouldn't worry about stuff like that, and just take the plunge.
It would be a better opportunity to strengthen my relationship with my grandparents anyway, in addition to exploring a new way of living.

Yeah pride would do it! Thank you for being humble enough to see that in yourself. Good Luck!

[Mogget]

go WWOOFing - free lodging and board and you get hands on experience in sustainable farming practice.

[ladee]

I work for a farming family and I can tell you it is very hard, demanding work. Who better than your grandparents to teach you..Apparently they are very commited to their life and hard work.
What motivated you to pursue this line of work? It is very fulfulling work, yet alot depends on weather and such. We are waiting to see if we get another cutting of hay, as to not have to buy any. We have been in serious drought for over two years.
The cattle still have to eat, and some have been sold just to even things out.
I hope it is something you pursue. There is nothing like being up before sunrise, being present for the morning quite. If "odors" are offensive to you, then raising animals may not be the way to go. Stick with crops. If you are looking to get rich, understand there is alot of "hurry up and wait" involved.
There will be a lot of things to tend to during the course of a day. Yesterday, they were trying to move cattle from one pasture to another. The cattle had other ideas. It was funny in some ways, and just plain hard work in others.
Farming can be very rewarding work for many reasons. So I admire that you are going to "try it out" first.
I really feel like your family would be your best teachers.
Good luck with your search and let us know how things turn out.

[ar81]

Originally Posted by sheffy4

Hello Forum-ites,

I'm hoping there are some farmers out there who could drop a few pearls of wisdom in my path. Recently I've felt a strong interest in farming/ranching.

Video - Hikers Work For Food on the Appalachian Trail - WSJ.com

[sheffy4]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Mogget, I've never heard of WWOOFing, so thanks very much for the suggestion. I'll check it out and see if it is something that might work for me.
Ar81 Thanks for the link, much appreciated!
Ladee, I really appreciate you commenting on my post since you have first hand experience in this matter. I know that farming and ranching take a lot of "hard work," and sometimes I think to myself, "I work hard, I'm not afraid of hard work!" But on some levels I think I might be naive about it. I know for a fact my patience, diligence, and dedication have not been tested the same they would be at a farm. I think that's part of the reason it attracts me. I would love to prove to myself that I could do it, and I feel that it would be deeply satisfying work to me.

[Mogget]

Originally Posted by sheffy4

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Mogget, I've never heard of WWOOFing, so thanks very much for the suggestion. I'll check it out and see if it is something that might work for me.
Ar81 Thanks for the link, much appreciated!

You should be able to find info with just the acronym - but in case - Willing Workers on Organic Farms... loads of backpackers go wwoofing in Aus as a cheap way to travel and many of my friends have done it.

A typical day is 4-6 hours of manual labour in exchange for bed and board - from what i have been told most farm owners are pleased to have someone who wants to learn how to do things properly, stay for longer terms or return seasonally. They are usually passionately committed individuals with a great deal of enthusiasm to share about their farm practices and sustainability and ecology in general.

[garentee]

I am a small scale vegetable farmer... PM me and I can give you a bunch of insight... I will be away from my desk for a few days , but when I return....

[LadyTamitha]

Hi Sheffy,
I just read your post and strongly feel that you are being prepared for the future with these urges about farming. I had Wonderful Grandparents who had a small 5 acres and so enjoyed helping them during the summer but it was hard! You are smart enough to learn all about this and instead of doing all the work, having others help you like travelers along their journey. You are definitely on the right track here!
Enjoy your Grandparents and good luck!