This is our first year farming on a larger scale. While we are growing tomatoes for whole sale the majority of our crops will go right to our own table, larder or family and friends. We chose to take a year to build our farm slowly; familiarizing ourselves with the variety of crops available and the special techniques each need as well as the farming lifestyle. With 3 children under 5 we knew that there would be some unique challenges to our situation. However we intend this to be a family lifestyle as well as business—an opportunity for us to grow together as we grow our own food. To help us in our goals we chose to invest in some child sized tools. Real tools, made of metal and wood but sized for children. We also bought a child sized wheel barrel.

Last night was the first night we broke them out. We are improving and moving our compost pile and cleaning up some winter damage. At first the children were demanding to be pushed in the swing or play baseball. But then the tools came out. Two grabbed a shovel, Avril a rake and went right to work. While Avril lost interest after about 8 minutes Two stuck with it, helping us dig up and haul left over plants from last year.

Proeun said, “let’s see how long this lasts,” but he actually lasted longer then me, well  Mavis. After about a half hour Mavis was ready to go inside. I said I was going in with her. Two said, “You go inside, the boys are going to stay out and work.”

 
Two working on our compost pile.

Mavis, Two and Avril in our backyard.