I was in the field weeding onions at Farm School the other day when a classmate said she was trying to decide whether she should come to class on Thursday or go on a field trip with her daughter’s class to visit another local farm. Without hesitation, I said, she should go on the field trip. Then we were interrupted, and I didn’t get the chance to tell her why I was so certain.
I was certain she should go because I believe it is important for us, as parents, to include our children as part of our “why” for having set out on this farming path, but I also believe it is equally important for our kids to have opportunities to see the wonder and joy of farming blossoming in us.
Farming is hard, and it is a choice that can impact generations of a family. Farming is a calling for some, and it is a duty to others. Farming asks families to give of themselves wholly to the lifestyle for the service of the land and others. Farming asks all this, which is why at the beginning it is so important to feed that fire of wonder and excitement.
I know that one day my sons will be left with only the memory of me. I know that they will most remember the years at the end of my life because that will be time in their adulthood when they are mature enough to recognize the importance of remembering. So it is with that in mind, that I show my sons my enthusiasm whenever I can, so that they can know I lived with a heart full of joy and passion for all the things I did.
When my son was in town, I took him to see the farm school. I showed him the tractors because I think tractors are cool and interesting, and I find the seat on the back of the transplanter to be a very special place. Seeing my son hop in that seat and share my wonder and excitement over the act of planting was a great feeling.
I don’t know if he’ll remember this day or this time in my life, but maybe one day he will look back on this photo as the day the seed for the love of growing things was planted in his young heart. Maybe one day he too will be called to farm just as I have been.
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