I love working alongside other people. It’s my favorite way of hanging out.

Alicia has been farming on farms not their own for five years in New York, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. They spent this season on a former coworker’s farm on the NY/PA border in Damascus, PA.

I don’t feel the need to have my own farm necessarily.

I want a really good long term situation.

I would like to have the freedom to take a vacation! I am a long distance hiker – that’s why I like working for other people – it’s a trade off to be able to take time off to pursue other interests.

I’ve always felt like I had a lot to learn. I have been in the mentality that I want to work for as many people and operations as possible. I am scared of the financial risk and commitment (of starting my own farm).

On one farm I worked at in upstate NY, the women were never in positions of power. It felt like a really sexist environment even though my boss made an effort to give equal treatment to women. Women never learned the tractor work, and weren’t in positions of power. I felt a lot of frustration – not seeing an avenue or path upward from there.

I usually assume that the boss is always right – I’m always in the supporting role, and I’m good at it.

But I find myself making suggestions instead of saying what needs to happen – had I done that more, it would have been better for me and everyone else.

I’m constantly second guessing myself:

Am I overstepping my boundaries?

Do I have the power to send someone home for being sick or having other needs without checking in with the owner when they aren’t around?’

I THINK FARMING IS WAY MORE SATISFYING THAN IT IS HARD. I DON’T THINK I COULD EVER WORK INSIDE FOR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS AT A TIME.

I really like physical work, but also physical work that takes a lot of thinking and planning, that brings you into contact with other people.