Howdy Folks,

Well what do you do when your kids have fallen behind in their summer homework packet and school starts in three weeks.  Get to work!  Well, the kids are kicking butt not only on their summer work but also helping us wash produce, plant seeds, stock produce at market, set up and break down from market.  All sorts of tasks, as well as daily chores.  We are trying to give them a schedule.  It’s a pretty hectic life being a farm kid.  Daily chores are, unload dishwasher, take out compost, make sure the dogs have water, switch laundry from washer to dryer.  The boys, Cedar, 11and Cyan, 8 starting coming to the markets with us again last summer and  have been joining Chris in the field and greenhouse for 2 hours twice a week this summer.  They are starting to be called on for more tasks as well.  Some examples are, “Please turn off the pump.”, “Please restock these pints and quarts.”, “Please turn the water off in the greenhouse.”

Chris and I hope to have the kids join us on the farm in the future, so we aim to make it fun in hopes that they are interested in joining us and eventually taking over.  Being together is the best part of farming with your family.  The times are good, bad and can even be scary, ugly and hilarious.  It’s a wild time.  Like most parents with kids 8 & 11, the implementing of rules isn’t the easiest nor is teaching work ethic, but we are trying.  They of course get to play outside a lot and are on the side learning to speak spanish and learning the ins and outs of the farm.

Trying is really all that we ask.  Although we see and feel the difference when their heart is in it.  We ask them to try to help even if they don’t think they can do something.  We ask them to try a vegetable cooked a different way even if they have decided they don’t like it cooked!  We have found that many veggies are easier to get kids to eat whole and raw at first, then introduce them as cooked.  Often times this helps to remove the barriers, as often times they are liked raw better.  This especially goes for carrots.

Your Farmers, 

Chris, Aeros and the Who Gang