On the Farm

Last May we went to a local farm to visit some baby animals and go for a pony ride. Zoë and Miranda had a BLAST! Megan was sick and stayed in the van the entire duration of the outing (poor girl!)

We went back to this same farm yesterday. Not for the same reason, although there were two six-week-old kids, a one-year-old milking cow, lots of chickens, sheep, horses, etc. The reason for this visit was to determine if I really wanted to garden.

Some friends of mine have been involved in a co-op gardening thing where they go to a farm, work to plant and cultivate and harvest crops. Then, they get to enjoy the fruits, vegetables, greens of their labors. I've been interested because I LOVE fresh produce, hate paying astronomical prices for good food, have a brown thumb and no good place at our current place to grow anything (OK, I could put some pots down in front of my house, but I have a very difficult time remembering to water!!!)

The lady who runs the farm we visited yesterday said that she was interested in getting a few more families to help with the gardening. She runs the farm not only to provide organic food (she sells eggs and last year pork in addition to some of the produce from her garden), but also for day camps and youth groups to come participate in various means (from working the farm to just petting the animals).

While we were there, the girls got to hold a chicken,

Zoë was the first to take Chicklet.
It took her a minute to figure out
how to hold the little bird, who was most patient,
but she was pretty excited about the whole thing.

Tara and I had our babies, Xena and Veronica,
in our wraps, tucked and covered
as much as we could from the cold air
(it was about 48 F and cloudy and the air was wet. Brrr!)

Alexandra not even squeamish at first,

became more comfortable with the chicken.

Miranda loved holding the little chicken.
She even did pretty well keeping the bird in her arms.

pet and brush a cow,

see (and feel) where the goat milk comes from,
watch a chicken lay an egg and gather that and others up ("EW! It's slimy!") Feed some chickens sitting on eggs, pet a rabbit, give hay to some horses, and walk around the natural prairie fields and pond.


As I wrote to my mother-in-law:

Miranda was tickled pink about all the animals. Megan was more in her element with the nature walks (where she gathered items along her way: a corn husk, a couple of branches, some pod shells, sticks. etc). Zoë had fun with friends and was happy to volunteer to do things first (hold the chicken, open the cage, feed the horse/chicken, brush the cow).

I've considered getting involved in this very carefully. I know that it's going to be a huge time commitment. What garden isn't? Even if you are sharing it with five or six other families. But, it's once a week, the lady in charge seems somewhat flexible about what gets planted, etc. The best part? I can bring all four of my daughters- to help or just play. The other co-op I heard about allows only ONE child, and that one must be able to help. That just won't work for me!

Bijoux's turn to hold Chicklet

Miranda gave the chicken a kiss.
Sweet or Yuck?
Maybe both.

So, I believe that this experience will be a learning one for all of us. A great opportunity to see where food comes from, how much work goes into growing it, and how yummy the home-made stuff can be. Mmm, the thought of those tomatoes are already making my mouth water.

Oh, and the fact that I get to let my kids play with farm animals, roam the fields, and play with friends as well? That's unbeatable. Yup, it's actually my good friend who found this program and asked if I were interested. It's always more fun to have a companion to do thing with- especially a person you enjoy hanging out with, and with whom your kids get along!

Veronica played with Xena's toys
as her sisters were eating our picnic lunch at our friends' house.

Xena was sweet about sharing,
and had fun "talking" with her buddy, Veronica.

So, it seems that Wednesday mornings will now be my Gardening mornings. Let's hope the weather cooperates.