The rooster crows as sun streams through the dried zinnia flowers of the vegetable patch.
Carla Evans-Wilson steps outside and heads to the back shed where her family stores hand-mixed animal feed. With her three children, Sophia, Polly and Bowman Wilson in tow they distribute feed to chickens, heritage hogs and cows.
At their small family farm called Goldfinch Farm, the family grows a variety of fruits and vegetables for home and produces pork, chicken and eggs for sale at the Franklin County Farmers Market.
The animal feed mix contains no steroids or artificial ingredients. It is “the only way I would eat meat,” Carla says.
They like to know the entire process from farm to table for their family and customers. Carla and her husband, Rodney Wilson, also process chickens on the property. They initially were hesitant about killing the animals themselves, but “everything has an ending, so you can’t be sentimental,” Carla says.
Goldfinch Farm serves as a school for their children. Home schooling allows the children the freedom to explore the farm and direct their education. Sophia attended public school for six months in second grade but faced bullying, so they brought her home. The children’s lessons at home include grammar, math and history. They also attend extra math classes with a group of home-schooled children every week, and attend a range of extracurricular activities including taekwondo, pottery and art classes.
“They are a really special family,” says Katrina Nimmo, their taekwondo instructor at the YMCA in Frankfort.
Spending time together has built the family’s bond, and with the animals and land.
Still, it can be tough.
“It is difficult to be surrounded by your children all the time,” Carla says. “Regular parents get a break during the day.”
