Secrets of Southern Gardening: Chance’s Chance
Taking A Chance On Farming
I started working on a farm over the summer after my freshman year of college, studying computer science. It has motivated me to explore the secrets of southern gardening at home and in the future. One of my favorite things about my work here has been the variety of jobs I’ve been assigned and the skills I’ve acquired through them. I really love meeting new people while I work whether it be coworkers, clients, or guests on the farm, and I feel like my social skills have gotten better over time. Lastly I’ve been inspired in many ways from all the work I’ve done over this summer, it’s even led to me starting a home garden and considering new long-term career options.
Variety of Work
I would’ve thought working on a farm is the same monotonous manual labor everyday, but I was pleasantly surprised over the last few months. Every day it’s something new that Jenks has planned up for us, ranging from field maintenance, landscaping, carpentry, and even some social media management. Whenever Jenks sees that I feel anxious approaching a new task, he always says, “I’m proud of you, you can do it” and it always helps me to feel more confident in my ability to grasp new skills as well as perform tasks with confidence even if I don’t exactly have expertise in a given field. I feel as though I’ve become more marketable due to the workplace and interpersonal skills I’ve developed while being employed by Jenks and Tom.
Meeting New People
Anytime we have a tour on the farm or we’re at a client’s house, I always want to introduce myself and strike up some conversation with people that I can meet. I’ve met a good few coworkers during my time on the farm starting with an anarchist, nose ringed, woman named Blaze and now a young, soccer playing, guy named Reid. I felt awkward at first meeting new people while I worked, but recently my boss’s husband Tom complimented me for going up and introducing myself to people after I met multiple attendees of a lunch and lecture presentation by Jenks at an art museum. I learn the most about plants during tours because of all the questions that people bring and most of the time I don’t have all the answers, so I have to ask Jenks or Cole and learn on the spot, but I really enjoy it.
Ways I’ve Been Inspired
Throughout my time working on the farm, it hasn’t been the easiest, but Jenks is always making an effort to motivate me and guide me. I’m proud of the work I’ve completed, and it’s inspired me to be more professional, productive and given me a better work ethic. I’ve been inspired as well to take on a project for myself at home, trying to make a vegetable garden from old dog cages and recycled pallets. When looking at careers for the future I’ve started to seek out a career that bridges the path between computer science and agriculture or horticulture because I’ve realized a tremendous love of plants for myself.
See my home gardening journey here –
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM-yWl8gYaJ/?igsh=MTFoZzNhdnU4bnlpOA==
Buy Secrets of Southern Gardening here – https://jenksfarmer.com/product/secrets-of-southern-gardening/
So enjoyed reading Chance’s essay ! Thanks to both of you, Jenks and Chance, for sharing.
Warms my heart knowing young people are involved in the plant world (and farms). You all look amazing ! Thank you for the work that you do.
Sounds like a good learning experience for anyone especially young people that haven’t had much experience on a farm. So proud Jenks and Tom are providing this opportunity so people can learn to appreciate the earth and what self satisfaction it gives anyone to see live plants and flowers growing and blooming. Keep up the good work! 😍