Working on a farm in 2016 is a lot different than working on a farm 50 years ago. Farms have a lot more employees today than they did when only 120 cows were being milked. These days, there are a lot of different jobs on the farm that need different skill sets from working in the machine shed to managing the parlor.
Even though the skill sets may be different, there are a few things that were really valuable 50 years ago on farms that are still just as valuable today.
Having an open mind, especially working on a farm, is really important. When I was in my early twenties, I thought I knew it all. But the world is constantly changing. It didn’t take me very long to realize that I had a lot to learn.
Adaptability is also really important. You are more valuable as an employee if you are well versed in different areas on the farm. You don’t need to be an expert on everything, but you need to be able to ask the right questions and be willing to learn.
When you farm you know better than anyone that you have to make the best out of things when they aren’t expected. With the cold weather we’re having right now, we need to be able to adjust to change if something on the farm breaks or suddenly needs attention.
When I’m interviewing a potential employee, I always appreciate when someone has a variety of different experiences in their youth. It gives you more of an idea of what works and what doesn’t, and what you like and don’t like.
Most of all, your dedication to the job is invaluable to your employer. Some things never change.