‘Hotgirl farmer’ not afraid to get hands dirty

In a bold fusion of traditional grit and contemporary flair, Ieasha 'Hotgirl Farmer' Johnson emerges as a beacon of empowerment. With a fearless and eager spirit, Johnson champions the notion that femininity knows no bounds, inspiring females to dive head first into the realm of agriculture without hesitation.

Johnson, from Lincoln, Manchester, began farming in order to earn money to fund her studies. Having completed her secondary education, she dreamt of getting a college education. Her inspiration struck during a visit to a friend's farm, where she felt drawn to the earth. Recalling the day her friend gifted her three bags of Irish potatoes, Johnson eagerly planted them, albeit with disappointing results.

Undeterred, she persevered, diligently replanting the potatoes. Her persistence paid off when the subsequent harvest yielded a plentiful 10 bags. This success ignited Johnson's passion for farming, driving her forward with renewed determination.

"After I reaped those 10 bags, I started to branch off and enquired about how to expand. I got more lands from family and friends, and also leased," she said.

Johnson enrolled at Knox Community College as a 20-year-old, even as she maintained her deep-seated passion for agriculture. As she told THE STAR, she has always known that farming could transform her financial fortunes.

"I was seeing people who are in the farming sector being very successful. Visiting people's farms and going on the Internet and seeing the quality of work other farmers do, I wanted that for myself. I just really got motivated from just seeing others' success. It drives me to be an independent person and to be an entrepreneur," Johnson told THE STAR.

Despite her fashionable edge, she has not been afraid to get dirt under her fingernails and the sweat on her brow. In fact, she easily take on arduous tasks such as weeding, mixing chemical and spraying.

"I can work just as much as the men. When I talk about weeding, the males are not faster than me," she said.

Yet, her appearance, when she is not on her farm, has resulted in persons questioning whether her jobs requires her to wear sturdy boots or stilettos.

"Typically, when I go out in the streets now, people will see me and ask about my profession. When I tell them that I am a farmer, they will look at me from head to toe, because outside it's a completely different look from in the field," she said.

While happy to be breaking stereotypes about women, Johnson has welcomed the presence of a growing number of women in agriculture. She wants to see even more 'hot girls' operating farms and feeding the nation.

Johnson was one of three young agricultural entrepreneurs who were last year awarded by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture for establishing outstanding enterprises and blazing a trail in the local agriculture sector.

"My advice to females, don't think it's a male job. It's also a female job. Don't be afraid to get your hand dirty. Don't be afraid to look ugly in the field and be a hot girl, because I call myself the 'hot farmer girl'. I have a completely different look when I am in the field from when I'm going out," she said.

The Manchester native is determined to establish a farm where young people can receive hands-on agricultural education. Additionally, she envisions a greenhouse where visitors can observe farming practices. Her aspirations extend to supplying hotels and large supermarkets with her produce.