The Joy of Starting a New Community Farm and Playgroup: Growing Connections, Cultivating Happiness

There’s something magical about the first seeds you plant in a community farm, the laughter of children echoing through a newly started playgroup, and the bonds formed between neighbors who come together to create something meaningful. When you combine the elements of nature with the joy of childhood play, the result is a unique and powerful form of happiness that ripples through the community.

Starting a new community farm and playgroup is more than just about growing food or entertaining children—it’s about cultivating relationships, nurturing well-being, and reconnecting with the earth. It’s about building a supportive space where people of all ages can experience the joy of being part of something larger than themselves.

1. The Joy of Connection: Bringing People Together

At its core, a community farm is a place where people come together with a common goal: to grow, share, and learn. But the true happiness in these spaces often comes from the connections that form as a result, that is if you share the common values of kindness, compassion and empathy. Here, at Fablewood Farm, we are committed to lifting one another up, supporting one another, and teaching our children to welcome, to offer, to share, and to, above all, be kind.

When you gather a diverse group of individuals—families, children, neighbors, and even strangers—around a shared purpose, the potential for connection grows exponentially. There’s something profoundly satisfying about working alongside others to plant a garden, harvest crops, or build a play structure for children. It’s a reminder that, no matter our backgrounds, we are all capable of contributing to something good.

2. Fostering Health and Well-Being

A community farm is not only good for the land—it’s good for the body and mind. Gardening, farming, and spending time outdoors connects us to a larger purpose and improves our well-being. For me, it gives me the chance to be physically active, relieve stress, and enjoy the benefits of eating locally grown, organic produce. For our children, it’s an opportunity to learn where our food comes from, and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and engage all of their senses.

The Fablewood Farm playgroup provides a safe, nurturing space for young children to grow, learn, and thrive. Here, our children engage in both structured and unstructured play, learning important social skills like cooperation, sharing, and empathy. They also benefit from the mental and physical stimulation that comes from spending time outdoors, whether they’re playing in the dirt, building nature forts, or simply observing the farm animals.

The joy of watching a child’s face light up when they plant their first seed, or when they take part in the harvest, is priceless. It’s a shared joy that reinforces the idea that happiness doesn’t come from material possessions, but from experiences, connections, and the act of creating something together.

3. Nurturing the Future: Teaching Children Through Play and Work

One of the most exciting aspects of starting a community farm and playgroup is the opportunity to teach children about the natural world. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven society, many kids are disconnected from where their food comes from and how things grow. A community farm offers an immersive, hands-on way to teach children about sustainability, agriculture, and the importance of taking care of the environment.

At the farm, children can participate in activities like planting seeds, watering plants, and even learning about composting or caring for our animals. These activities help foster an early appreciation for the earth. They also develop a sense of responsibility as they care for plants and animals, while gaining an understanding of how things grow with patience.

In our playgroup, it’s also about learning through play. Whether it’s building fairy houses in the garden, crafting with natural materials, or engaging in sensory activities like dirt digging and water play, children are not only having fun—they are learning about the world around them.

4. Creating a Legacy: Leaving a Lasting Impact

Starting a community farm and playgroup isn’t just about short-term happiness; it’s about creating a legacy that will continue to impact future generations. I hope our farm becomes one part of our neighborhood’s culture, enriching the lives of everyone involved. As the farm grows, we will host educational workshops, farmers' markets, and community events.

I hope that the farm will offer children, parents, and neighbors the space to build a shared connection to the land. These spaces create lasting memories—memories of childhood adventures, of harvesting fresh berries, of tasting food grown with care, and of a sense of belonging. And in a world that can often feel disconnected and divided, these small acts of creating and nurturing community provide a foundation of hope, joy, and lasting impact.

5. The Happiness of Watching It Grow

There is pure happiness in watching something you’ve started flourish and grow.

Seeing children light up as they discover new things, watching parents begin and end with kindness and collaboration, and witnessing the farm grow from a vision into reality—these are the simple, everyday joys that make the journey worthwhile.

As the seasons change, so too will our community farm and playgroup—evolving and growing with the people who nurture it. The happiness that comes from starting something like this isn’t just about the end results; it’s about the process. It’s about being together, learning together, and creating something beautiful that benefits everyone.

Final Thoughts

I hope you will join us at Fablewood Farm to be a part of the creation to the evolution. You are welcome here.

Warmly,

Jeanine M. Mingé, Ph.D.

Fablewood Farm, LLC, CEO and Director