cardo’s farm project…

If you and I have had a conversation recently there is a very good chance I’ve made mention of Cardo’s Farm Project and farmers Dan and Amanda. Long story short? The Lyons’ Den thinks Cardo’s Farm Project and farmers Dan and Amanda are pretty awesome.

We were first introduced to Cardo’s and Dan and Amanda in May of this year via the Denton Community Market (another project near and dear to our hearts). Their tent display was eye catching: wooden crates, weathered boxes and baskets, mason jars full of wild flowers. Sort of country store homepun. And cute. I dug it. As we all know, I am a SUCKER for a good display and/or clever packaging. I wanted to buy my veggies from these people. Then Molly wandered over to Amanda asking her a barrage of questions (as busy-body four year olds are wont to do) and Amanda engaged her in conversation and offered her a piece of watermelon(?) radish instead of shooing her away. Then I really wanted to buy my veggies from these people.

Dan and Amanda invited us to come out the farm over the summer to see the farm. We went out a couple times to help with chores. We did some weeding; painted signs for their farm festival; picked vegetables from the field. Logan helped shovel manure and compost.

Farmer Dan even taught Logan and Caleb how to drive the tractor and then LET THEM DRIVE IT AROUND THE FARM. The boys still talk about it months later.

Dan and Amanda are young and smart and passionate about what they’re doing. Dan and Amanda have offered up samples of their fantastic veggies to our kids and as it turns out when someone other than your parents is handing you vegetables, vegetables are DELICIOUS. Even radishes and okra and rainbow swiss chard. Our kids have never turned their noses up to the usual suspects: broccoli, carrots, tomatoes (well, Caleb doesn’t do tomatoes), cucumbers, onions; but not in a million years would they have ever agreed to try a bit of raw okra if I offered it to them. Now everybody we know is eating raw okra like it’s going out of style.

Our kids are paying attention to the food they’re eating. This is a completely organic occurrence and a direct result of Dan and Amanda’s enthusiasm and patience. While Lynn and I pay attention to the food we are feeding our family, we have never really discussed it with the kids before…what kid wants to talk about how veggies are grown or where their chicken nuggets come from? Evidently, my kids do! Go figure. Another reminder to all of us as parents: just because our kids are young, doesn’t mean they don’t care, aren’t interested, don’t want to know. We have to feed their brains just like we feed their bellies! When there are fresh vegetables on the table, the first question they ask is, “are these from Cardo’s?” And since they’re asking about the vegetables, then they wonder about the steaks or the chicken we’re eating. It is amazing, really, and it makes me want to hand out high fives and hugs every time I see Dan and Amanda.

Farmers Dan and Amanda and Cardo’s Farm Project have Kickstarter campaign wrapping up this week and they need our support:

Every penny counts! If you decide to support their campaign in any denomination over $10 let me know and I will send you a set of note cards from my stationery line.

Send me an email at amy {at} aplcreations {dot} com with your name as it appears on the Kickstarter backers list, a mailing address and your card choice. I will trust you when you say you donated more than $10 . Thanks, friends! Go Team!