Life Lessons Your Family Can Learn at a U-Pick Farm

Life Lessons Your Family Can Learn at a U-Pick Farm 

 It's U-Pick it time here in Northern California! A time when local farms open up for families to come and pick crops that are in season. There are many benefits to picking fresh fruit and vegetables.  They are incredibly fresh.  It is truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find in the grocery store.

Harvesting your own fruits and vegetables from a U-Pick  farm digs a bit deeper than going to the farmers markets.Many families take their children to the local farmers markets and shop for the best local produce. This is a great way to start getting the family involved in food preservation and local sustainability.  Children love the baby carrots, sweet peas and berries often offered by local farmers.
Now that you have gotten the family involved in selecting the finest produce from the farmers market and then taking it home and preparing it into a meal, the next step is to get them out to a U Pick farm!

Lesson # 1

God, the Creator or Mother Earth created Earth and every thing in it.

It still amazes me to watch tiny seedlings grow and produce food that nourishes us.  It is incredible to witness not only the plants as they grow but the farmers who tend to them and nurture them so they can give all they have.  Being a silent witness to the bounty around us brings me much gratitude.  Teach your family to be grateful for what Mother Earth brings to the table. 

Lesson #2

Patience 

Picking your own teaches families patience.  Children will get restless, need breaks and might complain about being too hot.  Parents, here is your lesson in patience!  Let them take breaks and bring water for them so they stay hydrated.
It takes time to fill a bucket up with fresh berries!  Teach the little ones to be gentle with the plants when harvesting so as not to pull the whole plant from the ground when pulling just one fruit!   Make a game of it! Encourage them to pick a few for the bucket and pick a few for them to eat as they go along!   I know I can't resist a taste!  Two for the bucket...One for me!  

Lesson # 3

Good things come with hard work

It takes work to get the good things.  Teach your family about the work that goes into harvesting food for their meal.  Take the time to talk to the owner of the farm or the farmers the work there.  Let your children ask questions. This a good way to add education and work ethic into a day out!  

Lesson #4

Create memories by the season

Visiting U Pick farms various times of the year is a great way to teach your family about seasons.  Mother Earth provides to us all year around. Learning about what is in season will create memories for your family. I have childhood memories of picking black berries down by the creek. After dinner my father would have a bowl of fresh black berries with milk and honey.  I can remember wearing sweaters in the fall and picking the best Jack-O-Lantern from the pumpkin patch.  These are all things that make for a wholesome good life full of loving memories.

It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store. - See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season. - See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

It’s u-pick season in the Midwest.  Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season.
There are many benefits to picking fruit at a u-pick farm.
Fruit picked off a tree, bush, or vine taste incredibly sweet.  It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store.
- See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

It’s u-pick season in the Midwest.  Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season.
There are many benefits to picking fruit at a u-pick farm.
Fruit picked off a tree, bush, or vine taste incredibly sweet.  It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store.
- See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

It’s u-pick season in the Midwest.  Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season.
There are many benefits to picking fruit at a u-pick farm.
Fruit picked off a tree, bush, or vine taste incredibly sweet.  It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store.
- See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

It’s u-pick season in the Midwest.  Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season.
There are many benefits to picking fruit at a u-pick farm.
Fruit picked off a tree, bush, or vine taste incredibly sweet.  It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store.
- See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf

It’s u-pick season in the Midwest.  Farms open up their fields to visitors and allow families to pick fresh fruit as it comes into season.
There are many benefits to picking fruit at a u-pick farm.
Fruit picked off a tree, bush, or vine taste incredibly sweet.  It’s truly a wonder and unlike anything you can find at a grocery store.
- See more at: http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2013/07/5-life-lessons-your-family-can-learn-at-a-u-pick-farm-bonus-cherry-vanilla-jam-recipe/#sthash.ql7u9eEV.dpuf