The Story of Crazy Boy
We (Proeun and Amy) come from very different backgrounds. I (Amy) grew up in suburban environments. Though all my grandparents farmed and my parents had a background in the outdoors, I was very much a “city girl,” more interested in coffee shops and restaurants then gardening.
I (Proeun) was born in the mountains of Cambodia. My first home was a 3 sided hut in the region of Dangrek. My family survived by farming and harvesting wild plants and animals from the jungle. This did not last long. I was born in 1975, in the height of the “Killing Fields” era. At 6 months of age my family journeyed over the mountains into Thailand. It took 2 nights traveling the backroads. The whole village left: 127 people traveled together. Seven did not make it.
Once in Thailand we became refugees. It was another 3 years before I came to the U.S. to Alabama. Great memories of long summers and rural adventures are still with me. I always knew I was from the country; just a different country. I always hoped that I would have a farm.
When our son was born he showed an immediate interest in the outdoors. By the time he was 2 years old he had been camping more than his mother had before having him. At 3 years old, he has caught fish, crayfish, frogs, grass hoppers, dragonflies, fireflies, crickets, worms and a snake. At this stage, he is much farther ahead than his father. He knows more animals than his parents. He just loves fishing, hiking and being outdoors.
He also decided he wanted to be a farmer. We decided to help his dream come true. Our farm is named after him.
We started with an urban homestead, garden and 4 chickens. When green beans came to our garden he picked them and ate them right off the plant. He got a dreamy look in his eye and said, “So we are farmers!” He was 3 years old at the time. We now have 3 children under five. But we know this is the only life we want for them.
Food sources are an important topic for us. We want to eat in season, locally grown and organic food as much as possible. It’s the healthiest way, good for the local economy and the environment. We are very happy with the direction were heading. We want to share this with people. In the process, we are going to learn a lot and grow as a family.
At the 2008 Living Green Expo we found out about the Minnesota Food Association. It seemed meant to be: 2009 is our first year farming on a production scale. We are working towards self-sufficiency and are growing tomatoes and bell peppers for the wholesale market as well as our own consumption. We hope to familiarize ourselves with a variety of unique vegetables not readily available in the store.
Within the next 5-7 years we hope to move to the country and be able to have more animals. Until then we are having a great time working the fields as a family. | 