Friday, April 25th, 2025
Years ago, I facilitated the creation of a business called, Teens in the Fields, with my homeschooling sons and their close friends…
Jordi, at the time, was 11 years old and super cute. He has the most beautiful eyes, and everyone he ever meets comments on them. When you blended that with his open spirit, his warm heart and his bright smile, he was a natural at selling our Vashon Island Sodas at the local farmers market and our annual Strawberry Festival.
After about 3 1/2 years, the kids all had learned what they needed to learn, and they moved onto other pursuits. Which was saying something about the way in which young people are constantly wanting to learn, because our business was very successful and the kids and the adults were all making about $15 an hour At the time, that was close to twice the national minimum wage, but the kids were naturally bored because they had gotten good at the job and they are ready for a new challenge.
Since then, Jordi has always made some jokes about “tilling the fields!” And today, that idea has come to fruition, largely with the help of community members who have known Jordi since he was three!
You don't see it in the video, but this was my first time visiting Jordi's new strawberry fields, and it was such a joy for the three of us to work together!
It was also an adventure in perseverance, because, when Jordi's friend had to go home, we kept working late into the night with flashlights until the last strawberry plant was planted!
I look forward to sharing photos as the project progresses…
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