2024 will be our second year Workamping the Sugar Beet Harvest in Minnesota. Although we are not experts by any means, we do have some tips that we used last year and we plan to use again. Don’t get me wrong, working the harvest wears us out. About the fourth or fifth day in, I could curl up onto the beet pile and just sleep. I don’t even care if I am buried or not. But, I had only one really bad day where I cried over everything and then it was done.
Our main concern while working is to get as much sleep as possible. Sleep is very important to us. The less sleep you get, the more likely you are to get hurt or hurt someone else. So, the tips below are ones we will again be using this year to make our harvest easier.
Wear Shoes You Have Already Broken In
Because we hike a lot, we buy new hiking boots every year before we start adventuring in the Spring and Summer. We have done this for four years. However, now, instead of saving our old boots as backups, we use them at the Beet Harvest and then throw them away.
The safety ladies at the Beet Harvest recommend leather shoes. They provide more protection than the cloth hiking boots. However, we have had no issues with our waterproof Keen hiking boots. And, by October when we are working the harvest, our boots are well-broken in and very comfortable.
Wear Old or Used Clothing
By the end of the harvest last year, I was wearing red, bell-bottom yoga pants rolled up so I wouldn’t trip on them. Windell took a picture of me covered in dirt, red pants rolled into my white socks, and my hard hat on. Then he sent it to people I knew.
No one cares what you look like while working the harvest. You are going to be dirty and nasty. If you have to buy clothing, buy old ragged clothing from a yard sale or thrift store. Don’t spend a lot of money. This year I saved my orange yoga pants with holes in them. Again, I will be breaking a lot of fashion rules!
Also, I don’t wear bibs. While you are working, you have to use a porta potty. They do keep it pretty clean, but it is still a porta potty. I don’t want to have to undress too much to use the toilet. So, rather than wear bibs, I like a sweatshirt or coat and separate pants.
Layers, layers, layers. You will get cold, warm, and maybe even hot during your working shift. Don’t be afraid to wear lots of layers as you can always take one off if needed. And find an old jacket that will keep you warm in rain. You will be working in the elements and you don’t want to be miserable.
Last year, I actually found a long, waterproof coat to my ankles that had a hood. Everyone jokingly called it my bathrobe. Although we threw away most of our clothing, it was so comfortable that I kept it for this harvest.
We save our old clothing throughout the year as they rip or no longer fit. Even if we have to wear a belt to keep our pants from falling down, we keep them. Then, after wearing the same clothing for a few days while working the harvest, we simply throw them away. We don’t wash them.
We don’t do laundry while we are working. At our age, sleep is much too important and the clothes are not worth it. So, shop for cheap, separate tops and bottoms, lots of layers, and very old clothing that you don’t want to save.
Buy Hand Warmers
There is nothing better than having hand warmers in your gloves and shoes on a cold day. Purchase more than you think you will need. I was so thankful last year that we had stocked up on these small bits of warm and fuzzy. We had so many that if I wanted to put one in the lining of my hard hat on a really cold day, I did.
Bring lots of hand warmers and use them. I promise you will appreciate that little bit of comfort. Because Windell was in a heated forklift while I was standing in the elements, he didn’t need the handwarmers. Not that I’m a little jealous.
Food Preparation
I cook homemade soups in my electric pressure cooker. I love homemade soups because I can add all the spices and veggies that I want. Before we start working the harvest, I cook my soups, divide them into portions, refrigerate some, and freeze the rest. I love my beef and veggie soup and my cabbage soup with beef. Yum, yum!
Don’t plan on cooking or shopping while you are working. Have enough food already prepared for two weeks. Windell prefers canned food to my homemade soups. So, we also load up our pantry with canned beef stew, ravioli, etc. that is easy to heat up.
Having warm food on cold days will improve your mood tremendously while you are working. We both have a Stanley Soup Thermos that we put our hot food in for lunch and supper, and it stays warm for us. Again, it is just that little bit of warm and fuzzy that will make a big difference in your day.
While you are working, don’t forget your drinks. We have a seven-gallon jug in the back of the truck that we fill with water. I then easily fill my water bottle all day. Of course, Windell always has his sweet tea. Sometimes, just for a little extra coziness, I will heat up some hot tea before my shift and stick that in a thermos also.
Workamping the Sugar Beet Harvest is long hours outside in the elements for a few weeks. The job itself is not difficult. But, you do get tired and it can really dampen your mood, if you let it. Just a few preparations will make you feel a little better and may help you get through the harvest.
You will get tired and have bad days. Having a great team that you can rely on and they can rely on you will make this workamping job smoother for everyone. So, plan some creature comforts, forget domestic chores for a little while, and just focus on the job. Good luck and be safe!
The Sugar Beet Harvest is an amazing opportunity to earn quite a bit of money in just a few weeks. You can find out more information on Workamping the Sugar Beet Harvest at https://www.theunbeetableexperience.com/.