21 Jan Thu 2010
Life as a "Farmher"
There have been lots of new words and phrases "coined" in the last decade, mostly due to the internet and cyberspace, twitter, facebook, etc., but also in the gardening and food communities. "Locavore", "Evoo", "green", "googled", and so on.
During the few mindless chores around the farm (mulching, weeding, driving fence posts) I have time to think about all sorts of things and so far I think I've created two words: organical, meaning it's grown using organic methods, and "farmher", meaning a female farmer. There are many occupations that are traditionally held by men and we tend to stereotype the person in the job without seeing them; mechanic, welder, carpenter, etc. I know there are women in those jobs; I was one of those for years. Salesmen would come into my office (Facility Manager) and they looked confused for a minute until they figured out that Terry was a woman and not a man.
Anyway, back to "Farmher". That's one occupation that we could spell differently to recognize female farmers, and they are increasing in numbers, you know. Living on a farm is a daily education in all things mechanical, animal, and vegetable, and farmhers are well suited to life on a farm.
We love baby anythings, chicks, pigs, cows, puppies, kittens, and the nuturing side of us takes over when any kind of babies show up.
We tend to read directions before attempting assembly on tools.
We keep the "lefty-loosy, righty-tighty" in mind when dealing with nuts and bolts.
We can wear cute garden clothes if we want to, and get away with it!
We can till the soil, plant the veggies, harvest them, and, and, preserve them too! Then we cook with them. Who else do you know that has that much involvement in a meal?
There are times when that extra muscle helps out, so whenever someone comes to visit........