Growing Up on the Farm: The Next Generation

Maple and Crosby Zeestraten have the most joyful and idyllic playground in Wānaka (we might be a smidge biased). They have spent many a days kicking up leaves, picking ripened fruit, learning about lavender, and nurturing young farm animals.

Maple, 9 years old, and Crosby, 5 years old, have lived right next to Wānaka Lavender Farm for most of their lives. As their parents Tim and Jessica Zeestraten, alongside fun Uncle Stef, work hard on developing the farm, the kids are happy to be along for the journey. Hopping the fence from home to the farm is a luxury that Maple and Crosby take advantage of when they're not in school. And they wouldn't have it any other way!

The siblings have no qualms spending time at the farm whether it's a warm summer's day or a snowy winter's morning. They're certainly learning a lot from their adventourous family, creating fun memories right on their own doorstep.

Sitting the pair down to ask about their feelings on growing up on the farm, here is their outlook on life at Wānaka Lavender Farm...

What is your favourite thing about the farm?

Crosby: the smell of lavender!

Maple: getting eggs from the chicken house.

Do you like living so close that you can pop over to collect eggs, or come say hi to mum and dad?

Both: Yes love it!

Do you have a favourite activity or season here?

Crosby: the scavenger hunt!

Maple: I like showing friends around the farm and having fun with them here.

Bottle-feeding the lambs in springtime is also a favourite for Crosby.

If you were a grown up, do you think you would work on the farm with the rest of your family... or do something else?

Both (with no hesitation): work here!

Crosby is keen to start helping dad out with maintaining the outside areas, and Maple says she would like to get stuck into baking in the tearoom kitchen. Maple has already started showing excellent customer service skills when she jumps in to help at the farm shop while waiting for mum to finish work.

Farming is an important part of the Zeestraten family's backstory, spanning back to a tomato farm in the Netherlands, and the kids are enthusiastic about following in their parents, grandparents and great grandparents' footsteps.

On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you love lavender?

Crosby: the most!

On a scale of 1 to 10?

Crosby: hmmm... 100!

Maple nods in agreement with her little brother. That's a relief!

What are your favourite flowers (other than lavender!)?

Maple: mine are roses, and daffodils in the spring

Crosby: I don't know the name of them but pink ones and white and dark pink

Do you learn a lot by spending time at the farm?

Both: yes, we do

Maple: I learn that it's good to make sure everything is "perfect". If something like a cup chips, replace it and don't give it out for someone to drink out of

Crosby: not to give up on stuff

What would your recommendations be for other children who might visit with their parents?

Both: try the honey and do a scavenger hunt!

Maple and Crosby's love for the farm is clear as they answer these questions, with big smiles and a sparkle in their eyes. There is no doubt that Wānaka Lavender Farm is "home" to these two and they hold an unwavering passion for the family business.

Rest assured, the farm is in safe hands with the next generation.