As we approached the farm, a boy, maybe 8 years old, waved to us from the field.

Then he hopped back on a simple, low-to-the-ground haying contraption hooked up to two draft horses that were about 5 times his size, jiggled the reins, and the horses ambled forward.

We were visiting the Amish community to see this boy’s father about a bull for our cows.

While my husband and his father spoke, I watched the boy slowly circle the field with his rig, jumping on and off his seat to move obstacles in their path.

I was impressed with his patience and perseverance. I imagined asking my daughter to do a job like that. I’d get an earful about how hot it is and how there are too many bugs.

Nevertheless, this little boy inspired me to try including her more in our own farm tasks. Maybe he appreciated being a part of the operation, producing food for their animals to survive the winter, being trusted to do a big person job.

Besides, I could use the help and these 21st-century kids could use a work ethic.

So, after dinner last night, I asked my daughter to help me pick the green beans that I planned to blanch and freeze for our own winter food. I prepared a back-up bribe in case of her typical “14 Reasons Why I Am Not Able to Help” response.

To my great surprise, she said “Sure”, put down her book, and got her shoes on. I tried not to act shocked or show any signs that this was highly unusual behavior.

Out in the bean patch as the sweat began to trickle, I did receive comments about how long of a row it was, how we will never reach the end and how her arms were too short to reach the beans in the middle of the plants.

But she stayed and she helped.

And all I had to do was ask and set aside my assumptions that she wouldn’t want to be involved.

She learned which beans are good to pick and which aren’t ready yet.

She talked about how it would be nice if the beans were hot pink instead of green, so they would be easier to find.

And when she eats those beans in a casserole in January, she’ll know where they came from and that she helped feed her family.

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Do your kids help harvest or prepare food for the family? Do you have any tips to get reluctant kids involved? Please let me know in the comments!