Farmer's Daughter

by Cathy Arscott

We have been having a busy summer, so far!

My father, Jake and my Mom, Gail, have been running a “market garden” on our farm for the past 50 years.

I remember, as a kid, working in the garden, which was acres and acres. 

We had beef cattle and milking cattle.

We made our own butter and there was always an abundance of cream and milk.

We had bee hives, so we had fresh honey, honey comb to chew on and my Mom also made candles from the beeswax.

We would get up at 4am every Friday and Saturday to sell our goods at the Farm Market in Dartmouth. 

We would come home with very little and what was left over, we would take it to the Sackville Flea Market on Sundays. 

Every year, that garden expanded. Deliveries to many stores and then of course, selling at the farm markets.

One of my favorite memories was working in the gardens and haying with my friends in the community, who wanted to make a few dollars. 

And we always looked forward to going to the Herbert River for a swim after the work of the day was done. 

We were responsible for working for our school supplies, clothes and the exhibition.

My Dad is now 91 and my Mom is 87. They still have a strong passion for gardening. 

Because they have slowed down, as old age has a tendency to do that, my brother, John, his wife, Crystal and Reg and myself try to keep the farm working. 

While we do not have the cattle anymore nor the beehives, we still grow an abundance of vegetables. 

The Withrow Family keeps our pastures up to snuff by taking the hay off each summer. 

Dear old Dad and Mom are still much a part of it all.

Their bodies may have aged but their minds are still sharp and there is so much wisdom.

I have picked Dad up from the ground NUMEROUS times this summer as he INSISTS on getting down on to his hands and knees to plant, weed or side-dress the plants with fertilizer.

Still determined and so very stubborn. 😉

I feel so very fortunate to still be living on a farm that my parents have built into something we can continue to do. 

I appreciate being taught that hard work will NOT kill me. 

And also feel very blessed that my parents are still here to guide and teach us on how to plant and properly take care of the plants. 

There is nothing like working in the garden, barefoot, and watching what we have planted, sprout and then start to  produce. 

And then the reaping will start. 

When the day is done, I look so forward to jumping in the pool. 🥰

I am proud to be a Farmer's Daughter, there is no life like it. ❤️