Think of a sexy job. Granted, that is not typically an adjective used to describe employment, but I’m willing to assume you’ve thought of something. Maybe you thought of something noble like the life-saving profession of a doctor. Others I’m sure thought of a profession that typically makes a lot of money, like a doctor. Then some people took the term literally and thought of sexy people, such as actors who might be on "Grey’s Anatomy," playing doctors.
One profession you probably did not think of is a farmer, which really is a shame because farming truly is a sexy profession. Sure, it does not get the prestige, money and number of television series as say, a doctor, but the people who make your food are just as sexy as anyone else.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a typical day on an organic vegetable farm, like the one I work at part time. Every day there is always a lot to do in the morning. The lettuce in the greenhouse needs to be transplanted into the field, the greenhouse tomatoes need to be picked, the field tomatoes need to be trellised and, of course, on any organic farm, everything needs to be weeded. Everyone is assigned their tasks and starts their jobs.
Before the transplanting team can start, there needs to be some preparation. Because when you are about to sow the seeds that have been growing inside for a long time, everything needs to be perfect. So Peter plows with Martha, his favorite tractor, to make sure that the bed is ready. Meanwhile, Andrew is filling up the water, so the holes are extremely wet when the seeds are planted. He’s also trying to hook up with Yoko, the back of the transplanter, because, although everyone has done it previously, he really seems to be struggling.
Meanwhile in the greenhouse, Onna has never picked tomatoes before, so John has to pop her cherry tomatoes so she knows what she is doing before she can do it herself. The tomatoes are one of our best sellers because they are so big and firm, just like the melons, and everyone loves our big, firm melons.
The trellising also can be a struggle because Jared lied to Audrey about his experience (typical of a 20-year-old) and has never actually done it; so obviously it does not go well, but still better than everyone expected.
That leaves Rob and Marshal to work deep into the shoulders with their hoes to get the weeds off the sides of the beds. They have to be careful because a clean hoe is so much better than a dirty one, but sometimes the dirty hoe is all that is available.
The only people left are Dani and me for weeding the baby carrots, which means I’m going to have to spend all morning getting down and dirty in a bed with a recent college graduate who is always criticizing how I cannot finger the dirt properly and how I’m missing all of the important areas.
In the afternoon, Pete and Martha finally finish plowing with each other. Pete is satisfied with his performance, and Martha did a satisfactory job, but they both know that it is time for the two to part until they see each other again. The transplanting machine is all ready to go, so the seeds are thrust deep into the tight wet holes of the field and the work with the dirty hoes is finally complete, to the pleasure of Rob and Marshal.
While all this is happening, I’m struggling to keep it in my pants because, when you’re on your knees all day, it is hard to keep your shirt tucked in to keep the sun off your lower back. Thankfully, though, everyone, although already very hot and sweaty, has finally joined Dani and me in the bed so this job can finally be done properly. Everyone talks about their day, their beliefs, and anything else you can think of. Just nothing too inappropriate or sexual. After all, this is only a farm, but that does not mean a farm and its farmers can’t be very sexy.
