The conference was held in Klerksdorp from 31 January 2018 to 03 February 2018. The delegates were also taken on a site visit to Fraaiuitzicht Vegetable Farm outside Bothaville. Nobody expected to find 5-year-old Jean Liebenburg driving the tractor with ease. His father, Toks Liebenburg manages the farm and he was amazed when he realised in October 2017 that his son could drive the tractor alone.
It all started with Jean visiting the farm and sitting on the farmworker’s lap to learn how to operate a tractor. On days when he is not at school he spends the whole day in the tractor, taking 30 minute naps in between the driving. Liebenburg mentions that it is common for farm kids to know how to operate the equipment because farming is part of their lives. Jean enjoys being on the farm when he isn’t playing cricket and his father believes that he will choose between farming or cricket as a career when he is older. 10 Reasons why growing up on a farm is cool:
- Your family is bigger than any average family, the animals on the farm form part of your family.
- You learn how to drive tractors before you are 5.
- You get to watch animals giving birth.
- You have the opportunity to watch smog free sunrises and sunsets on a daily basis.
- Swimming starts with a lake/river before an actual swimming pool.
- You don’t need a playroom and toys, feeding the lambs becomes your favourite pastime.
- You don’t question where food comes from because the production of food is part of your life.
- You quickly adapt to the concept of rain and how important it is in your life.
- A slingshot teaches you how to hunt way before you know what a gun is.
- Waking up early isn’t a problem for you, the roosters become your alarm clock.
Farm kids are much better off than city kids, or are they? Share your opinion and photos on our Facebook page.