I am the Operations Manager of Swans Trail Farms. Our farm is 200 acres and we grow pumpkins, strawberries, apples, and a small amount of sweet corn.

Depending on the season. During the offseason is time off, answering emails and researching crops and different farming techniques. During season days start off by making sure all employees/workers are set up for the day. Equipment is ready and there is a clear picture of what needs to be done for the day.

Once all workers are set up and doing the job they are supposed to be working on, I normally head to the field to check crops and assist different parts of the farm that need my help. This could include fieldwork, building projects, or equipment maintenance. You must be a jack of all trades. The task that takes up the most time is managing your employees. No day is ever the same and making sure everyone is on the same page can be a challenge.

Pros/Cons- There are too many pros to this job to name. As I said no day is ever the same that comes with its own challenges.

Pros

• The two seasons are really nice, during the offseason I get a lot of time off.
• Farmers do one of the most important things in the world and that is produce food.
• Most of the people you meet in the agriculture community are very pleasant to be around. It is normally a very tight group of people.
• There is also something about putting a seed in the ground and seeing it produce food that is very rewarding.

Cons

• The cons are when it is the on-season you put in a lot of hours. Days are very long and you do have to work hard.
• Another con is because we are seasonal it is really hard to find employees.
• The hardest part is farming is very unpredictable, the weather, disease, and pests can affect your crop. Be ready for some heartbreak.

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