GRAND Magazine - April 2009 - 24

cover story outgoing Stephanie has an extended family in the farm’s subscribers. “They are always bringing me clothes and things they think I need or would like. They really take care of us,” she says. The Sindlingers are more than satisfied with their decision to change their lives—but it’s not always easy . They had no retirement income before the economy collapsed, but they had investments that they sold from time to time when necessary. The family tries to live on the income from the farm and a small Social Security benefit the children receive from their father. Hank says he’ll do “whatever it takes” to care for the grandkids, including working at odd jobs when necessary. Pamela and Hank’s secret for success with their grandchildren is simple. They do everything together (and when occasions arise where they are not together, the children stay with friends, not babysitters) and with a lot of love. “We also ask the children every day, ‘What we’re did you learn today?’” says Pamela, “and now, when they give tours, at the end they ask the children, ‘What did you learn today?’ We are always learning. When we learn something about the farm, they learn it too. “Having our grandchildren live with us has given us a new purpose in life,” she adds. “We have to stay healthy now. We eat good food and get a lot of exercise working on the farm every day. We want to be around for them for the long haul.” Hank brushes his hand over his eyes. “We love those kids,” he says. “When we brought them to live with us,” says Pamela, “we realized they needed to put down roots. ‘Bloom where you are planted,’ my grandma would say. Being close to nature, living on the farm—it’s working” . In the back field, heads of romaine lettuce are ready to be harvested. Every leaf is vibrant green and perfect, and every bite is filled with the love that is at the root of this venture. G together Organic dreams? Organic farms are fOr sale all Over the cOuntry. check Out this One in sOutheast arizOna. because stronger Generations United is the national membership organization focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies. GU represents more than 100 national state, and local organizations and individuals representing more than 70 million. GU’s primary initiatives include: Seniors4Kids (www.seniors4kids.org) National Center on Grandfamilies National Center on Intergenerational Shared Sites Photo by NaNcy ostraNder For further information and to join as a member, contact GU at 202-289-3979 Generations United • 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 900 • Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 289-3979 • Fax: (202)289-3952 • Web site: www.gu.org 24 GRAND APRIL 2009

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/14/Business/Urban_harvest__A_farm.shtml http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5V6Rlf_e64 http://www.amazon.com/Successful-Small-Scale-Farming-Down-Earth/dp/0882666428 http://www.gu.org http://www.seniors4kids.org http://www.gu.org

GRAND Magazine - April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - April 2009