Agriculture Degrees don't teach you anything about tractors

Learning to Farm · May 24, 2011

Call me book learned but farm dumb, I have my degree in Agriculture but until this year had never sat on a tractor. Once I am taught something I can repeat it, ask the guys who hooked up the brush hog for me and then said next time send him a text message the day before he wanted me to hook it up (needless to say he got a text message that said I hooked it up and let me know if he wanted it off for any reason). I don't take being treated like I can't do something on the farm just because I am female, very well. It is not about things I can't do, it is all about things I don't know how to do yet.

I am the field maintainer at a 40 acre horse farm (and other assorted livestock), 20 min east of Washington, DC. The property owner has a Kubota (my favorite) and a Ford, and 10 or so implements (of which I have used 4).

That all said, I had to post a FaceBook photo for my friends; some thought the Kubota was a lawn tractor, some thought it was a combine. My goal is to drive a combine and harvest "something", anything really. For now I am having fun learning how to use the "all" the gizmos.

TBN, prepared to get asked some fun questions (I am hooked on the forum)! I think I found a wonderful wealth of knowledge

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Muhammad · May 24, 2011

Welcome to TBN.

grsthegreat · May 24, 2011

I have a Bachelors of Sci in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1980.... Back then it was required to have several farm equipment classes. We operated lots of different farm and construction equip, learned about maintaining them and how to research manuals, etc.

Also hand tool use classes were required.

Cant tell yo what they require nowdays...probibly classes on the use of Facebook and virtual farming.

YesDeere · May 24, 2011

You must be in the Davidsonville/Harwood area. Keep it up and learn all you can. But most guys aren't used to a woman with your enthusiasm. My wife gets mad at me when I do that to her. In my eyes I'm trying to protect her. She sees it as callin her inept.

Learning to Farm · May 24, 2011

grsthegreat said:
We operated lots of different farm and construction equip, learned about maintaining them and how to research manuals, etc.

Also hand tool use classes were required.

Can I admit to being more than a little bit jealous? :drool: I don't regret any of the classes I took, I just wish they had offered those. I am a fast learner and with folks like you to glean information from, I think I will catch on fast.

The guys on the farm laughed when I found the owners manual to the Kubota and sat down and read it (I have read my car manual also). But it was very informative, enough for me to buy a new seat (the other was split and peeling, ouch for doing anything for long periods). I also found out that it only takes 7 gallons of diesel, which was pretty neat to me (fuel efficient). I will only be doing the basic maintenance (greasing, tire pressure and gassing), but it important to know what the normals are.

BTW, I was just out in San Obispo for work, ie. where I spend 40 hrs a week that I am not on the tractor

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bp fick · May 24, 2011

Welcome to TBN. We look forward to your contributions.

Pssssst. It's spelled Kubota. Didn't want anyone to get on you for that. :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

om21braz · May 24, 2011

Yet another "Welcome to TBN!". Don't feel too bad as my daughter-in-law has a degree in Agricultural communications and I'm not certain she has ever had a conversation with a real farmer LOL. The bottom line seems to be college does'nt necessarily teach you anything - it is supposed to teach you to learn it for yourself. I hope that does'nt apply to doctors, etc.

Learning to Farm · May 24, 2011

YesDeere, maybe I should have said 15 min... haha! Yes, I am right off of US 50 (the town with the horse training track, hint, hint)! I do have a lot of enthusiasm, your wife would be proud of the diplomacy you said that with. I appreciate when the boys take care of things, but I don't want to not know how if they are indisposed (your wife probably feels the same way, love her for that characteristic).

Since you know the area, can you recommend any place that sells used implements? I am looking for a sprayer (trailer or 3-point), it may only be worth it to buy it new but I would like to look. I am in a fight with buttercups and need to get ugly.

Thanks in Advance!

Learning to Farm · May 24, 2011

bp fick said:
Welcome to TBN. We look forward to your contributions.

Pssssst. It's spelled Kubota. Didn't want anyone to get on you for that. :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

BP, I don't know that I have a whole lot to add, other than questions, yet. Well that and comic relief by spelling errors.

I stopped calling it "The Orange Tractor" and the Ford "The Yellow Tractor" about 6 months ago. Although I like how tractors are color coded by brand, someone was smart.

I appreciate your help :thumbsup:, being new does not allow someone to be rude (spelling something wrong ie. Jon Dear... hehe).

bp fick · May 24, 2011

Ha! If we held to spelling and grammar rules on here, the place would mostly be a ghost town. The spelling of the tractor brand is about the ONLY thing anybody will ever yell at you for, believe me. The rest? nobody cares.