Harvest: Not Just A Man’s Job

PRESCOTT - In an often male-dominated field, Prescott's Krystal Harris has practiced and is now ready to take on a new kind of harvest work - driving a wheat-hauling truck.

Last year during harvest at Perry Dozier's farm, Har- ris, who attends school in Waitsburg, rode in the trucks and learned what a driver does during harvest. She said the ex- perience was fun and inspired her to learn how to drive for harvest this summer.

"(Harris's) involvement with agriculture activities such as FFA and pulling rye for vari- ous farmers allows me as an employer to take notice (that) she has an interest in agricul- ture," Dozier said.

Dozier said Harris has been training to drive the wheat truck for the Dozier's farm since last spring.

"I was talking with (Dozier) and he said I could drive a truck," Harris said. "I'm a little bit nervous, but excited because I'm really close with the Dozier family, so I know it will be fun."

This year, the summer be- fore her senior year, will be Harris' first time driving a truck and getting the job was no easy feat. Harris spent time learning how to drive the 10-wheel big rig with Perry Dozier's son, Logan.

"At first (Logan) would take the hills and I took the flats, and later I took the hills," Har- ris said. "Staying calm is the hardest part - if it's not getting in gear or you don't know what to do."

Harris said learning to shift a vehicle that large has been interesting, but she is much more comfortable with it now. Hills make it more difficult to shift, Harris said, and driving downhill requires a balance between the brake and the gas.

She said she has driven two different trucks so far and that as a driver, she has to adjust to each new truck.

"Each truck is different," Harris said. "I'm still working on it."

She said her practice has paid off and she is excited and more comfortable about driv- ing the trucks this summer.

Harris said a lot of local girls her age work in the grain elevator where there is air conditioning and often less aggressive, physical work. Harris isn't the only female harvest truck driver she knows of, though. She said she knows another, Brittany Zuger, so fe- male harvest truck drivers are not unheard of -- just uncommon. Like Harris, many of the harvest employees she will be working with are her age and fellow classmates at Waitsburg High School. Harris said she hopes to go into nursing after high school. She currently participates in basketball, vol- leyball and softball. Harris said while it is difficult being part of so many sports and being busy for all three seasons, she stays in shape and is often strongly encouraged by her coaches to stay active and keep up the bonds with her teammates.

Until harvest starts, Harris will be working at Waitsburg High School doing maintenance work and complet- ing tasks like washing desks, cleaning and gardening. Harris said the job was ideal because it is so flexible, but she is look- ing forward to harvest for the change of pace. Perry Dozier said he is looking forward to having Harris working for him this summer.

"She has shown the capabil- ities and character we look for in harvest employees," he said. "I love that she is not afraid to work hard."