Good Season'n With Herb'n Renewal

As many of you farmers market vendors know, by the time the last hour of the market day rolls along...you are tired, more like worn out and you still have to break down your tents and load everything into your vehicle. And, I have to admit that I have often wondered why I have put myself through this for over 18 years. Lol Then something, or more like someone, makes it all worthwhile!

Yes, it was that last hour and I was pooped...3am comes early! My hubby was waiting on a customer and I noticed a mom and her young teenage daughter looking at items in our booth. I walked over and asked if I could help them with anything and mom immediately encouraged the daughter to give me her spiel. It seems as though she wanted one of my Zucchini, Apple'n Oat Thingies and she didn't have any money with her but she did have eggs! And, one heck of an ear to ear grin. :)

Mom, very nicely told her to go on and talk to me. She handed me an adorable, but very professional business card for “Doodlebug's Delectables!” She went on to explain that she would like to barter some of her eggs for one of my “Thingies!” I asked how much she charged for a dozen eggs and she said $3...I quickly explained that I would owe her $.50. I was told not to worry about it...she had plenty of eggs and she wanted a “Thingie!” Mom never said a word...this 13 year old entrepreneur did all of the talking until a deal was made. And, let me just say that we were both happy.

I started asking questions about her hens and WOW...this girl knows her fowl!!! She told me how she got started...she just wanted a chicken so she bought one and then the love started! She saved her allowance and bought more. She did research and made sure she was doing everything right. She currently has 21 laying hens and they are her sole responsibility...she pastures them, feeds them when needed, makes sure they always have fresh water, tracks their laying habits and yes, they all have names and she swore she could tell which hen layed which egg! I just grinned listening to her...so young and so excited about anything agriculture related...and, I know nothing about chickens other than I enjoy eating them and I love farm fresh eggs! I was told to look at the back side of her business card and I had to giggle when I saw it...”I DON'T WANNA BE A NUGGET!”  

Her expertise continued through our conversation and I have to admit that the last hour flew by...I was enthralled with this 13 year old. :) When she went to fetch my two dozen eggs she asked what color I wanted. I told her to surprise me and she did...green, blue, brown, white and even an odd olive drab colored one. She apologized for not having any pink ones...seems the latest acquisition to her flock hasn't started laying yet! She also informed me that the color of the egg shell did not mean the color of the yolk...they are all yellow!!! lol

Yes, there is hope for the agricultural world with young gals like this! :)

And I drove home tired, but with a big smile on my face...this is what makes “doing” a farmers market so rewarding! :)