South Georgia Farm Kids

South Georgia Farm Kids

by Brandon Chonko

Brandon is the owner of Grassroots Farm in Camden County where he raises hogs and chickens, supplying some of the best restaurants in the South. He believes in the power of small farms and healthy food. Brandon brings his own brand of wit and wisdom as co-host of Streak of Lean - a podcast which covers the local food system, farming, lifestyle and pretty much all things relating to rural South Georgia.

One of the true joys of having a farm is being able to involve your kids. They love it. Pretty much everything about farm life comes easy to a child. The dirt. The manure. They love it all. The dirtier the better. When we began our farm, I definitely had a goal of raising some farm kids.

In those early days I involved my then 4 year old when I would process quail on the farm. I’d kill and dress batches of 150 birds at a time and he wouldn’t bat an eye at the scene of it all. The death, the raw meat, none of it shocked him. It struck me then as it does still (he’s 12 now) how naturally children take to farm life.

Both my boys spent many hours after school shooting BB guns and building forts back in the fields where we raise hogs. They’d come home from school and immediately go outside. I’d be working and their joyous voices were music to my ears. These were the days when they were still young enough to not be too consumed with sports or homework. They did it because it was fun, but in the process it taught them to be independent and to think on their feet.

I think back on those years fondly. They learned to shoot accurately and eventually they both learned to shoot a bow. They learned to look out for each other and to be “swampwise.” Sure we had our fair share of scrapes, bruises, and even stitches. As they’ve gotten older, they still enjoy hanging out at the farm and have become good helpers. We’ve graded hogs together, butchered turkeys and chickens, talked about life and love and everything

in between. The value of hard work is pretty easy to pick up on a farm.

I hope the lessons they’ve learned are tucked into the recesses of their very being for as long as they live and I hope they never forget what they are.

South Georgia farm kids.