The work-based learning credit, in my opinion, is one that strikes fear into the hearts of students.
Am I ready?
Will I remember everything I learned?
Can I find a place to work?
This credit experience is one that is unique to each of us. I chose to work as an intern at the student farm. Usually students choose to work off campus at a local farm. The goal is to pick somewhere that is going to resemble what you are hoping to do when you graduate. Ideally, you also get paid.
I chose the student farm for several reasons:
- Proximity to my house
- I was really impressed with the farm manager as a teacher and wanted to glean whatever knowledge I could
- Working here gave me the opportunity to continue where I left off in the spring semester with Advanced Organic Production
- I knew there would be heavy focus of the fruit and veggie production, but we also finished up the CSA, started the on-farm market for the college, and I really got to feel like part of the next phases for the farm
- I knew I would get to bring home loads of fresh food that I grew
What are some of my most memorable learning moments?
- I was putting in t-posts to make a trellis in the peppers. I accidentally cut through the fabric and cut the drip tape. I decided to treat it like I was working on my own farm and not as a student and just took care of it. It was probably one of the first times I’ve done something like this and it was really empowering to not have to bug my boss.
- Market Days- getting to know my customers every week and what they want. Thinking about how I would approach the following week or even the following year based on feedback from my customers. I feel like it really put me in the mindset I’ll need to be in when I start my own farm.
- I was asked to demonstrate several things on the tractor to Robin’s class as well as come in to teach them how to braid garlic. I LOVED IT! I hope to incorporate teaching on my farm someday or find some other way to teach the next generation and give back to my community. This experience has reinforced that desire.
- There was a week that my boss was on vacation. I was basically acting farm manager. It was awesome. I had a loose list of what needed to be done, but I had to choose when and how. I also was able to see other things that needed doing and get those taken care of. I took initiative and really took my job seriously as I filled my bosses role.
- Haha and of course there was getting my first and second bee stings in the same month! I learned that I’m not really allergic so I guess honeybees are on the list of must haves for my future farm now!
Mixed in with all of these experiences are just the daily grind. Plant, harvest, prep, repeat. All of that happening during all sorts of weather and challenges.
My biggest takeaway from this experience is that before I hoped I could do it, but now I know I can do it. My confidence has grown so much. My goals have solidified somewhat. My fear of the unknown and my abilities has diminished greatly. The greatest thing I’ve learned is that every time I fail (lots of failures happen on a farm for various reasons) I gain a new opportunity to learn from that failure and hopefully do better next time.
Heather Taylor
The Student Farm at CCCC 