HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Janie Corley and her husband Milton are the proud owners of Christian Way Farm, located deep in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The couple uses their agriculture knowledge and beautiful farmland to educate kids and their families about the important role of farms in food production. “For us, this is an expression of our faith,” said Janie.
During a recent field trip, Janie was engaging with a preschool group who traveled an hour to visit after finishing a farm unit at school. She talked to them about what crops are needed to pack a sandwich lunch, taking eager kids to the Lunchbox Garden where they would see crops like wheat, or potatoes. She then showed them how humble ingredients transform to make all the foods they love.
“It’s just changing that attitude for a lot of these families that come here, your food doesn’t magically show up on the grocery store shelves,” Janie told Christian County Now.
Imagine the shock on a four-year old’s face that just learned a stalk of corn is a crucial ingredient in the Doritos they love, or that a green piece of wheat will eventually turn into the flour for their bread. Janie calls this time with the kids her story time, a talk which changes themes every now and then so kids can see how different foods are made.
The giggling students also got to hand feed goats, bottle feed a calf, and collect eggs from chickens during their time at the farm. Janie said these “lightbulb moments,” are what bring her so much joy when the kids, and sometimes their parents, experience something new.
“The joy is the little child as you’re walking through who says, ‘I want to be a farmer this is so cool’, or they hug you and they look at you and say this is the best day of their life,” said Janie with a big smile on her face.
Becoming a destination in Hopkinsville
While building up what is now Christian Way Farm, Janie and Milton initially intended to just have a pumpkin patch. In the beginning they borrowed a few animals to put on the farm and focused on school groups visiting to pick pumpkins.
Janie said she was initially surprised when people asked if they could come back without a school group. This increased popularity pushed them to slowly expand, eventually being open year-round. The farm is now a place where there are enough activities to spend a full day.
“It’s kind of like field of dreams. If you build it, they will come,” said Janie. “People wanted to eat, so we built a cafe.”
They are equipped with multiple playgrounds, tricycle races, tractor train ride, tube slides, a corn play area, an outdoor mini golf course, and the biggest pigs kids have ever seen. During the school year, they see close to 1,800 students come through, with even more camps and summer programs visiting after school is out. Janie said she is always flattered and excited to learn people have traveled long distances to visit.
During spring, the farm held a massive egg hunt, and they have more fun events planned for the summer including a splash day where kids can have fun with water play. See updates about events and ticket information on the Christian Way Farm website.
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