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CockneyRebel
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12 Jul 2005, 5:26 pm

What is it like working on a farm. I've been thinking about volunteering, doing farm work. I consider myself to be a pretty strong woman. I can lif 40-50lbs, depending on what kind of a day I'm having. I enjoy being around and taking care of animals as well. I love Sheep. Do you think that a person who has the mind of a Londoner can handle working on a farm? I'm not trying to make up any stereotypes. I just want your honest opinions. Can I find my Inner Country Girl, or am I too set in my ways?



Ghosthunter
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12 Jul 2005, 5:45 pm

I say, "Go-Girl! and just do it!

Nuff' said!



chamoisee
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12 Jul 2005, 6:13 pm

If you want to, you can do it. But keep in mind that there will be a lot of heavy dirty work, and you will probably still have to do it when you are sick or tired out. I don't know how hay is put up there, but it might weigh more than 40-50 lbs and weights of this sort may have to be lifted repeatedly all day long. There will be death as well as life, and hard decisions to make and times when you try your best and a favorite animal dies despite all your best efforts. I hate to say it, but this is particularly true with sheep...

I do suggest that you give it a try. Life is too short to sit and wonder about what might have been...



DrGonzo
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12 Jul 2005, 9:55 pm

I've done it growing up and i enjoyed it for the most part. Mostly growing tobacco and cattle. If i didn't have to get up early i would have enjoyed it a lot more. :D



Morlock
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12 Jul 2005, 11:33 pm

every past summer I've worked on a farm, out here in the Grass Seed Capital of the World (Albany, Oregon). It is heavy, dirty drudgery, but at least I get money out of it. And a tan.



ashkelon
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13 Jul 2005, 8:47 am

I love working with stock and on the farm. It's hell if you have allergies, though. Year-round dirt, dust, pollen, dander, and mold. Depending on the time of year and type of farm, there are almost always times you can relax during the day, but you never get a real vacation unless there is someone you can hand off chores to.

I like "family" farming, and have done sheep, range cattle, dairy cattle, and horses. Dairy cattle was the worst. I hate dealing with milk. Range cattle and sheep were cool. The horses were stable management for a "dude ranch". A large part of that was working horses back out the bad habits they got from bad riders. That was great.

Unfortunately, most of the farm jobs around here are for "factory" farms. Those can be pure drudgery.



Tere
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13 Jul 2005, 12:26 pm

I've worked on a horse farm for many, many years and I loved it!! It is very hard work, but; very rewarding too. I didn't work for pay....I worked for Dessage' lessons. It was wonderful!



Ghosthunter
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14 Jul 2005, 7:49 pm

ashkelon wrote:
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Jun 22, 2005
Posts: 60
Location: Midwest USA
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:47 pm    
Post subject:
-----------------
I love working with stock and on the farm. It's
hell if you have allergies, though. Year-round
dirt, dust, pollen, dander, and mold. Depending
on the time of year and type of farm, there are
almost always times you can relax during the day,
but you never get a real vacation unless there is
someone you can hand off chores to.

I like "family" farming, and have done sheep,
range cattle, dairy cattle, and horses. Dairy
cattle was the worst. I hate dealing with milk.
Range cattle and sheep were cool. The horses
were stable management for a "dude ranch". A
large part of that was working horses back out the
bad habits they got from bad riders. That was great.

Unfortunately, most of the farm jobs around here are for
"factory" farms. Those can be pure drudgery.


Hmmmmmm? What is the difference in factory quality?
Do you live near farms? It sounds like you do!
Hmmmmmm? Fascinating????

Sincerely,
Ghosthunter



ashkelon
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15 Jul 2005, 9:05 am

Factory farms are typically dedicated to a single "product" line -- chickens for meat; chickens for eggs; feedlot cattle or hogs; turkeys for meat.

The animals are housed in large buildings, thousands of animals. It stinks. The feedind is automated, as are things like picking up the eggs. Chores there are things like catching the turkeys and throwing them in containers to go to the packing plant.

I'm not getting into the morality of it either way, but I don't like the work. And for the most part, I know the individual, personal, name of the animal I'm eating. And what it's quality of life was. And morality aside, free range animals just taste better :)



BeeBee
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15 Jul 2005, 9:11 am

There was, and maybe still is, a small farm smack dab in the middle of this metro area. It was owned by the Minnesota State Historical Society. They'd hire people to dress and work the farm as it was done 100 years ago. School groups tour it and its an open park.

I always that that would be a fun job...



ashkelon
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15 Jul 2005, 9:43 am

BeeBee wrote:
There was, and maybe still is, a small farm smack dab in the middle of this metro area. It was owned by the Minnesota State Historical Society. They'd hire people to dress and work the farm as it was done 100 years ago. School groups tour it and its an open park.

I always that that would be a fun job...

The Des Moines IA area has one of those also. They always need docents and people to learn skills for demonstration. Most of the people who live on the farms -- there are several, one from like 1800, one from 1900 and another from the '50's I think -- live there full time and work with the stock.

They open up harvests, haying and stuff like that as events for the public to come and help.