The Pros & Cons Of Farm Life

Fun on the Farm

With just two weeks left to go of our three month long farming experience, it’s safe to say there’s been plenty of ups and downs. We’ve had drunken Friday nights that have ended up with all of us on the roof, and 10 hour shifts on a Monday that have nearly killed us all - physically and mentally. It’s been an experience that’s for sure, and I’m sure the minute I step through the Spring Creek Produce gates I’ll be laughing at all of the hideous memories of things we’ve endured during our time here. 

If you’ve done regional work as a backpacker I’m sure you’ll agree with some of the following, and if you’re about to start your farm work… good luck! 

Pros:

• You get to say that you’ve worked on a farm out in the middle of nowhere. Not many people back home can say that, and it’ll definitely provide you with many stories to pass onto the grandchildren one day, after all - how many of your friends can start a sentence with ‘back when I was working on a banana plantation in Australia…’? Exactly. 

• You get to experience real outdoorsy life. Yes, the outdoor bathrooms are a bit of a nightmare, but on nights when there’s a full sky of stars and you can see the Milkyway whilst brushing your teeth, you begin to appreciate the more simple way of living. 

• The friends you make along the way - definitely a big pro in my opinion. Each going through exactly the same experience, you’ll soon make strong friendships with people from all over the world. It’ll be the people who keep you sane on stressful days, and keep you just as entertained on the weekend when there’s absolutely nothing to do. Farm life is a once in a lifetime thing for most people, especially backpackers, and 90% of the reason it’s so memorable is because of those you’ll be doing it with.

• The money! (Someone had to say it) $21 per hour is a pretty great rate when you convert that back to British currency - make the most of those hours and you’ll be leaving the farm a lot better off to when you arrived.

• You get to actually unpack and be settled for three months! This is a pretty big deal to most backpackers who have been living out of a bag and moving from hostel to hostel for the majority of their travels. You can finally stock up on proper food, eat proper dinners and use the laundry and wifi facilities as much as you want, no extra cost. 

• And probably the most obvious reason of all, you get signed off for your second year visa - the main priority and reasoning for everybody. 

Cons:

• The long hours - Back home I used to think my 9-5 shift in the coffee shop was long enough, but compared to here and the 7am starts, it’s safe to say I was wrong! Starting work when it’s still dark, having to wear double the amount of layers just to stay warm and not being able to fully communicate until first smoko at 9am…It’s pretty gruelling.

• The dirty living conditions - You can sweep, mop and wipe down the surfaces as many times as you like, but within minutes the familiar layer of brown dust will be back along with mud from the paddock that the boys have so kindly trod in for us all. Flip-flops in the shower are a definite must in order to avoid the watery brown floor, as well as dark clothes when sitting down at the table in order to avoid a dusty brown bum when standing. 

• The added houseguests - If you’re afraid of all things that run, fly and crawl faster than you do, than maybe farm life just isn't for you. Within the last three months we’ve endured rats, mice, cockroaches, rhino beetles, spiders and many more delights. I've had earwigs in my bed, roaches on my sponge, giant grasshoppers on my leg... It's lovely, really. After a while though you get used to your new roomies, and learn how to launch them half way across the room with just a single flick. 

• The duration - Three months may not seem like a really long time, but when you're literally stuck in the same place with the same small group of people, it can start to get to you. You long to be able to do something normal, like go to the cinema, or head out for lunch and shopping with friends you haven't seen in ages. But you can't, so instead you make you're own fun and count down the days Shawshank style until you're time is up.