Anyone can verify if a field needs tending. "The crops grow steadily" means the field is in order, while "It could use a touch from the rake or some other farming tool" means it can be tidied with a [[rake]]. If the description mentions "rotting old weeds", the field is overgrown and can no longer be harvested.
Level 10 Under level 15 farmers can determine see the state of growth of the field, whether or not the field is tended or untended (i.e. needs farming) and which type of crop is growing in a field, except at the lowest growth level ("freshly sown"), on the field they are currently standing on.
Level 15 farmers can mouse over a field and determine crop type, and whether or not the field is tended or untended (I.E needs farming) up to one tile away.
Level 20 farmers can determine the growth level of a field. The levels are, chronologically sorted: