i will begin with quoted from boggy creek's website:
“Please leave dogs* and cigarettes ** in the car, but feel free to wander the gardens and visit the Hen House. Kids may enjoy playing in the dirt pile under the shady pecan tree, so have them dress accordingly.”
and
“Between us we have three children and wonderful grandchildren. They all love the farm, but are happily ensconced in their own lives. Although our grandkids can't be here every day, the children of our farm stand customers come on market days and play in the sand pile and observe the chickens. It's a wonderful thing to be able to share the farm with the next generation. “
So my tale beings two days ago when we (two friends and I ) decided to NOT to to Sweet Berry farms to pick strawberries, but instead go to our more local Boggy creek. Although i am an native Austinite, i have never been there. The web site made it sound great! So we went. Upon arrival it is overcast and has been sprinkling on and off all day. There are a few customers milling about, but everything is very tame. I purchase one box to pick strawberries in, and three small cabbages. 16 $ yikes! The strawberries alone were 5$ for a pint!!...” ok, this is for the experience, “ i tell myself , “the kiddos are loving this and i am supporting a local farm!
We pick, we buy (20 minutes) then we sit in the grass next to bench (put there to sit on/by i assumed) my four children are all within grabbing distance from me and we are munching on strawberries and pretzels...then up walks someone who works there and says “here”, handing us a slip of paper.. i am thinking it's like an invite or something..oh naivety!...It's not. The paper reads something like this. Peoples kids are not near their parents. Market days are too crowded. You need to just buy your stuff and leave.
I was FLABERGAUSTED to say the least. VERY FEW people (families) drive to farmers market, or FARMS to buy food and leave..especially when it is horribly overpriced and not even that good (the strawberries are actually bland as all get out). You go for the farm experience. I look at the chickens, play in the dirt, have a snack. This slip of paper was handed out to the other families sitting around, who had also just purchased many things.
Is it just me, or is anyone else sick of this pervasive cultural attitude of keeping children out of societal view...wouldn't want to bother people with CHILDREN now...sheesh. Where can i take my kiddos and be welcomed?? playscapes seems to be the only option. It makes me sad to see a generation of children growing up kept away from real life experiences to convienience s.
So, Boggy Creek- if you don't want children to be at your farm except for a 15 minute purchasing window, i think I will just opt to go the grocery store where i can get strawberries 1.99 a pound. And, maybe you should post your little “message” on your website, so more people will know when they are not welcome. Today was my first and certainly LAST visit.
-Liz Paparella
