Before the end of the school year, my daughter’s 3rd-grade class and a hand full of us parents went camping to a farm in Mendocino country that does it all by hand power – no power tools or machines. We broke up into workgroups and milked and fed cows, pigs, horses, and chickens. We herded sheep, cows, and horses even sheered a sheep. Also, everyone collected eggs, made compost piles, chopped wood and plowed the fields with an awesome horse-drawn plow - this was one of my most awesome and memorable life experiences. All the daily chores our ancestors did in the “olden days”.
A few of us parents and some children were originally apprehensive about the primitive nature of this trip. However, after all the hard work, natural food, and great sleep we all had a great time and most importantly a greater appreciation of our modern life conveniences. This is truly a life-changing experience to give children. The farm we went to is called Live Power, in Mendocino County, northern California. Hopefully, you can find a farm with a similar experience in your part of the world. Here’s to teaching an appreciation of farm work and for all the farmers of the world!