I Run a Farm Stand

Some kids like to sleep as late as they can in the morning. But most days, I’m up when the sun rises. That’s because I have a job to do! 

I run Brayden’s Vegetable Stand in Auburn, Maine. From late June to Thanksgiving, I sell tomatoes, corn, lettuce, and other fruits and vegetables. This time of year, pumpkins are the biggest seller. Customers can also buy my grandma’s fresh zucchini bread. What’s the best thing about running my own business? I help grow most of the food I sell!

My stand is located at the edge of my grandparents’ farm. I’ve been going there since I was 2, when I’d help my grandpa steer the tractor. Now I can pretty much run the farm on my own. We have about 100 chickens, 60 pigs, 30 hens, 20 turkeys, and 6 cows. I feed the animals, clean the stalls, and collect eggs.

My favorite part of the farm is my garden. I love planting tiny seeds and watching them grow into big plants.

I decided to open a small farm stand in 2020. Last year, I used $7,000 I had saved to buy a bigger stand. In the summer, I get to the farm early to pick and wash the fruits and veggies I’ll sell that day. Then I set up the stand. 

During the school year, I open the stand in the morning and put out an honor box where people leave money for anything they buy. 

When winter comes, I’ll order seeds for next year’s harvest. I’ll start planting again in the spring.

It feels awesome to be able to bring so much fresh food to my community. Last fall, I donated 75 pounds of squash and three turkeys to a local seniors group.

I’ve talked to classes of younger kids at my school about farming. It’s important to know where your food comes from. I think some kids think it gets pumped out of a machine in a supermarket! 

Being a farmer requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s worth it. Without farmers, we’d have no fresh food. I plan to farm for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine doing anything else!