Sisters Cultivate Family Farm into Organic Garden, Learning Farming and Finance

Two sisters, Maria Augusta, 11, and Maria Helena, 10, from Tupã, São Paulo, have transformed their family's farm into a thriving organic garden. Inspired by Maria Augusta's previous success selling handmade country accessories online, the sisters embarked on this agricultural project with the support of their parents. Initially facing challenges with their first attempts due to limited resources, their persistence led to a diverse harvest that now includes cassava, pumpkin, chayote, lettuce, chicory, peppers, cherry tomatoes, arugula, parsley, chives, cilantro, kale, and bananas. Their mother, Ariane Castro, highlighted that the produce is grown without pesticides, aligning with the family's commitment to offering healthy food. While the girls attend school in the mornings, they actively participate in the garden's daily tasks, including watering, weeding, planting, harvesting, and packaging, whenever they are home. This hands-on experience has not only taught them about cultivation but also about financial literacy, as they sell their produce on weekends in front of their grandmother's house. Their initiative has garnered loyal customers and even attracted support from a local farmer who provided a three-month sponsorship. Ariane emphasized that the project has instilled a sense of responsibility and appreciation for hard work in her daughters, reinforcing the belief that dedication leads to achievement.