Interview: A Real Farmer 🧑🏼‍🌾 Answers Kids' Biggest Questions!

Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd is joined by farmer Susan Mitchell, owner of Cloverleigh Farm in Connecticut, and returning guest Avery, age six, who you may remember from our episode at the beginning of April called "Can Kids Help Heal the Land?"

Together they dig into what farm life is really like, from growing vegetables in a greenhouse in the spring to caring for beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys yearround. Susan talks about farming in all weather, losing plants in the freeze of 2026, donating produce to a local soup kitchen, and what it means to build a true community around food.

Avery brings some of the best questions of the season, including whether it is possible to give vegetables to homeless people and whether schools can take field trips to the farm.

The podcast is perfect for kids ages 3 to 11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Hear what a real working farm looks like from someone who built oneDiscover that farming is hard, hopeful, and deeply connected to communityLearn how bees, soil, seasons, and care are all part of where our food comes fromFind out how to look for a farm near where they liveBe inspired to think differently the next time they see produce at the grocery storeGrown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:

Asking your child: "Where do you think the food in our kitchen came from?"Looking up a local CSA or farm stand in your areaTalking about what it means to support small businesses in your communityEncouraging your child to try a vegetable straight from a garden or farm standAbout Susan Mitchell: Susan Mitchell started her journey into agriculture as a public high school teacher in New York State, where she grew food with her students in the school's garden. She quickly fell in love with the practice and left teaching to apprentice on a farm in the Hudson Valley, then managed farms throughout Connecticut before finding her own property in Columbia, CT. She is also one of the founding members and current Steering Committee member of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance, a farmer-led statewide network of new farmers. Learn more at cloverleighfarm.com.

About Little Kids, Big Hearts:

Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through real discussions, imaginative stories, songs, and Kidventures, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and what it means to care for others.

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If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts.

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Credits:

Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd. It's produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod and Adrianna Arocho. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the song “Like Nobody Else” from The Big Heart Beats Album.

🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:

 https://playsparkler.org/podcast