Matthew is eighteen, and the oldest at home. Currently a home-schooled senior in high school, he plans to be a vet. His schedule, always full, includes working part-time at the local vet clinic, running a lawn- and home-care business, working for local farmers, helping a dog-groomer part-time, raising numerous animals, teaching at a local dog club, and training his two dogs, a Shetland Sheepdog and a Golden Retriever. Matthew does not help out much in the garden anymore, but he does pitch in with some big jobs. His favorite activities include playing with his dogs, going on farm calls with the local vet, deer hunting, and chasing down pheasants with his Goldie.

Rebekah ('Beka), sixteen, is a home-schooled high school junior, and garden manager. She keeps a close eye on the garden all year round, and, with the help of her younger siblings, keeps it producing fine organic produce. An excellent musician, 'Beka intends to major in piano when she goes to college. She enjoys reading, playing the piano, long walks, listening to music, and taking care of the baby animals on the farm.

From top, clockwise: Matthew, Rachel, Caleb, Timothy, Beka. January 2009.

Rachel is fourteen and a high-school freshman. She and her sister, 'Beka, do nearly all the work in the garden, with help from their little brothers. Rachel also helps out by serving customers at the garden stand when her mother is busy or not at home. She enjoys writing, and writes a weekly feature called The Aardsma Weekly. She hopes to major in either creative writing or voice when she attends college. Rachel's favorite pastimes include playing with her cats, reading, writing, photography, e-mailing her friends, and spending time with her siblings.

Timothy (Timmy), eleven, is a home-schooled sixth-grader. He helps his sisters in the garden with most jobs, and is always called upon when anything breaks! He loves the outdoors, and spends much of his time building bird-houses, reading bird guides, and watching wildlife. Timmy also loves anything that flies---including planes, hot air ballons, space shuttles, and jets. He currently wants to be a pilot. Some of his favorite things to do are playing outside, roller-blading, helping his dad fix things around the house and farm, and making people laugh.

Caleb, at nine, is the youngest of ten children, but is not the baby! His duties in the garden are light, but he enjoys doing them, and helping his mother with her small experimental garden each year. Caleb currently is a home-schooled fourth-grader. He loves drawing and working with his hands, and enjoys making crafts from paper, wood, plastic, and anything else he can get his hands on. He wants to be an electrician when he grows up. Caleb spends his free time trying to do whatever his brothers are doing, making things, singing, and playing.