How This Flower Farmer is Working to Incorporate her Farm with Children's Therapy

Jennifer Way, a farmer from Pennsylvania, shares her experience of growing cut flowers and raising cattle on her farm. She also discusses her background in school counseling and her plans to incorporate therapy for children utilizing the farm and flowers. Jennifer talks about the challenges of balancing off-farm jobs, farm life, and parenting, as well as the benefits of having kids on the farm. She provides insights on how to find therapy for children and emphasizes the importance of starting with the school counselor. Jennifer also highlights the unique opportunities for therapy and learning that the farm environment provides. Jennifer discusses the future of the farm and the possibility of her children not continuing the farming tradition. She reflects on the changes that have occurred in the last 10 years and the expectations of multi-generational farmers to have a successor. Jennifer expresses her belief that the farm will eventually be passed on to someone else who will find joy in it. She also talks about the challenges of maintaining a farm and the need to be closer to her children in the future.

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Takeaways

• Jennifer Way grows cut flowers and raises cattle on her farm in Pennsylvania.
• She plans to incorporate therapy for children utilizing the farm and flowers.
• Balancing off-farm jobs, farm life, and parenting can be challenging.
• The farm environment provides unique opportunities for therapy and learning.
• Parents can start by reaching out to the school counselor to find therapy for their children. The future of the farm is uncertain as Jennifer's children are not interested in continuing the farming tradition.
• Multi-generational farmers often feel an obligation to have a successor, but Jennifer does not have the same expectation as a first-generation farmer.
• The farm may be passed on to someone else who will find joy in it, preserving the farming tradition.
• Maintaining a farm is challenging and requires a lot of work and dedication.
• Jennifer wants to be closer to her children in the future, regardless of whether the farm continues in the family.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Farming Background
• 02:58 Growing Cut Flowers and Raising Cattle
• 09:51 Incorporating Therapy for Children on the Farm
• 29:04 Finding Therapy for Children: Start with the School Counselor
• 44:08 Parenting on the Farm and Future Plans
• 48:52 The Uncertain Future of the Farm
• 50:04 The Expectations of Multi-Generational Farmers
• 51:36 Passing on the Farm to Someone Who Will Find Joy
• 52:36 The Challenges of Maintaining a Farm
• 53:54 Being Closer to Family in the Future