By Andi Anderson
Katelyn Chapman, a Franklin FFA member, discovered her passion for farming through her job at Heirloom Acres, a small produce farm in Johnson County, Indiana.
She worked several days a week, harvesting and packaging fresh vegetables for farmer’s markets, restaurants, and local customers.
Her responsibilities included gathering produce based on specific orders, washing and drying vegetables, and preparing them for sale.
“For example, some days we would have a request for three pounds of lettuce,” Chapman explains. “We harvested the amount needed, washed, dried, and packaged it. Whatever was leftover was stored for the farmer’s market.”
Heirloom Acres grows a variety of crops, including tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, and sugar snap peas. The farm also utilizes a hoop house, which extends the growing season for certain vegetables.
Chapman enjoyed learning about the entire farming process, from planting to harvesting.
“My favorite part about my Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is learning more about agriculture and cultivating for my community,” she says. “Seeing the growth process from start to finish was fascinating.”
Chapman learned valuable agricultural skills, such as understanding temperature requirements for different crops and irrigation techniques. Despite the hard work, she found the experience rewarding.
Her employer, David Sims, praised her work ethic and dedication. “She is a joy to work with, bringing a positive attitude and strong communication skills,” he says. “She is open to learning and takes on challenges with confidence.”
Chapman encourages others to explore new opportunities. “Look for something that interests you and don’t miss out on the opportunity,” she advises. Through her experience, she gained practical skills and made a meaningful contribution to her community.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture