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  • From: "Brian and Jacqueline Potzkai" <potzkai AT hotmail.com>
  • To: market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Re: Kids in the garden, re: Spring
  • Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 08:14:38 -0800


Hi Sue,
Last year I built a fenced area around a willow tree put in a sandbox and a play set for the children, we also 'dine' for lunch there. The kids did some of what your children did as far as helping out and entertaining themselves and they had a fantastic summer and met lots of people from all over the world - we grow and supply to customers of many different ethnic backgrounds. This brought in people visiting family and friends from china, the mid-east, africa, italy, etc. I had customers bring their children to come and play with my kids and us parents interpreted to the children that I wanted a welcome sign painted. At the end of the year it had 'welcome' in 7 different languages with children's artwork. It's our pride and joy masterpiece.

My problem is that I feel like I should be doing more with the children, I'm constantly worried about their safety, we are near a busy road. I'm quite busy with trying to make a go of things, after all it would be wonderful to be a great mom and also be able to afford to feed the kids. We need to be able to have the garden make a profit. Achieving balance is difficult! Jacqueline

From: Sue <swtgrssfrm AT nls.net>
Reply-To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Re: Kids in the garden, re: Spring
Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 10:39:41 -0500

Jacqueline,
We have had a market garden for the past few years. My kids now are 9, 7 and 4 so I
have been in your shoes. We also homeschool. Some days are simply wonderful and other
days are...well, not so wonderful. It can be challenging to get things done and accept
the kids 'help'. One of the things I enjoy about gardening is the quiet time I have in
the garden- the physical labor is relaxing to me and gives me time to think. With my
kids along I have to realign my thinking. My motto has become- I am raising kids, not
vegetables so I try to grow vegetables while raising my kids. In other words I have
tried to grow my vegetables as a way in which to teach my kids resonsiblity, a good work
ethic, a love of nature and the outdoors. Such loafty goals!
On a more practical level I have found getting into a routine I am able to accomplish
more because the kids know what to expect. One summer we put up a little tent to give
the little ones a cool place to play. I pack snacks and lots of water to drink. I take
along child sized tools and give them a place to dig. My kids became wonderful at
keeping themselves entertained after they were done helping.
I would love to hear from you- what you have done to as well because I certainly am
open top what other people have done.
Sue Steiner
Sweetgrass Farm
Wadsworth, Ohio

Brian and Jacqueline Potzkai wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Does anybody out there work in the garden with their children. I have 3
> little one's - 6 yr, 4 yr, and 2 yr's old. I took them with me last year
> (except for the 2 yr old but he'll be coming this year). It worked out ok.
> but I could do with some input on other's experiences. I home school my
> children and they are with me at all times and I operate a 5 acre garden,
> hubby works away from home so unfortunately he cannot help. Thanks,
> Jacqueline
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