Growing More Than Crops

Rural Roots Sunday - Growing More Than Crops

"...The Rural Area is valued in our community for its aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as the economic and educational opportunities that agriculture provides. Our commitment to maintaining the Rural Area is clear and codified in core planning documents..." Elk Grove General Plan, December 2025

I grew up on a small family farm just 63 miles south of Elk Grove, where I learned firsthand the discipline, patience, and deep respect for the land that farming instills. When my husband and I chose to raise our four children here, it was with intention. I wanted them to gain the same grounding I did — to understand where their food comes from, how it is grown and processed, and what it truly takes to bring it from soil to table.

As digital natives, my children have the world at their fingertips. Yet no screen can replace the experience of pressing seeds into soil, tending them with care, and watching the literal fruits of their labor take shape. That transformation — from seed to harvest — teaches responsibility, resilience, and gratitude in ways technology never can.

Living in Rural Elk Grove is a privilege we do not take lightly. Because we have the space, I am able to serve as Sheldon 4-H's Creative Horticulture Project leader, welcoming local youth onto our property for hands-on agricultural experiences. Together, we explore fruit tree grafting, cultivate seasonal crops, and craft holiday wreaths from natural materials harvested on site — no plastic greens, only what the land provides.

Out here, we are not simply cultivating plants and caring for animals. We are cultivating curiosity, stewardship, and a lasting respect for sustainable agriculture. We are helping to grow a generation that understands the value of rural spaces — not only for their beauty, but for their essential role in feeding, educating, and strengthening the entire community.

Submitted by Heather W, Critter Creek Farm