Kaitlyn was a 2022 apprentice at The Homestead, in Goodfare AB.
She shares these wise words.
Dear Future Me,
I hope you are working your butt off from sun up to sun down making nutritious food with
beautiful people, and if not don’t give up now.
Whether you found yourself a handsome dairy or potato farmer in Nova Scotia, or you’re still raising cattle in the Peace Country, I hope you have remembered as much as possible from that summer.
Make sure everything is fed and watered, and don’t forget to give the chickens grit. Don’t forget to water the seeds, but also don’t water them too much… maybe call Lisa and ask her if she thinks that’s enough. Move your cattle every day to keep them and the grass happy. Collect the eggs (give one to your kid so they feel special and can be coerced into coming back to the house with you). Be prepared for absolutely everything to break during hay season. Get creative with that little strip left in the center of the field. Beg Mother Nature for sunny days and hail-less skies, specify that you would prefer it if it wasn’t 40°C. While I’m on the topic of Mother Nature, work with her not against her. Oh and if you’re ever bored I’m sure there’s fence to fix.
Many hands won’t necessarily make light work but the right hands will make it more enjoyable. Build yourself a community and don’t be too scared to reach out to them. Give yourself the credit you deserve, you are living out your younger self’s dreams. Know when to take a break and jump in the dugout. Most importantly sit down at the end of the day and be thankful you are surrounded by special people doing what you love.
Some days you might run into a truck with the haybine (again) or let all the cows out (again). Other days that bottle baby you were cheering on will crash or all your chicks will be dead. It is days like those that you have to keep your chin up and embrace the struggle because it will make the rest of the days feel that much better.
Last but not least did you turn the water off and shut the gate? …did you really though? Might want to go check one more time.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone at The Homestead for teaching me all these things. It is because of them that I walk half an hour to the Farmer’s Market from university just to get fresh food and support the local farmers. They helped me become a better farmer and a better person because watching people make a difference makes me want to make one too.
Thank you!
Interested in learning more about the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program? Learn more here!
The deadline to apply is February 15th, 2022.