At 89 & 71, Amazing Grandmas Run a Gorgeous, Successful Farm
Lakshmi and Kasturi Ammal, A mother-daughter-in-law duo who are 89 and 71 runs Pico – a beautiful farm stay. With organic farm fresh vegetables, they also offer modern amenities like Wi-Fi.
When Kasthuri’s son, Kiruba Shankar, suggested Kasturi and her mother Lakshmi Ammal run a farm stay, they were scared. Both Kasturi and Lakshmi had been homemakers all their lives and lived according to their husband’s orders. They did not have much education either. Lakshmi Ammal has gone to school only till class 3 and Kasturi had finished class 7. They were wedded at an early age and family had been their main focus ever since.
But in 2021, the mother-daughter-in-law duo broke free from their fear and started running Pico, a family farm that is lent out for farm stay. Pico farm stay was built in 2012 on their 185-year-old organic farm named ‘Vaksana’ in Tamil Nadu’s Rettanai village but it was only open for relatives and friends back then. But now it is open to the general public.
The Vaksana farm spread across 13 acres is an ancestral farm where every generation has grown crops. When Laxmi’s husband passed away 37 years ago, her son took over the agricultural activities. But when it was time for Kasturi’s son Kiruba to take over, he did not choose to run the farm. He took another career in digital marketing and the farm lay barren for many years.
However, in 2011 the family took a collective decision to bring back the greenery by developing a food forest, harvesting crops and building a farm stay for their guests. Thye have large open windows which offer ample sunlight, which allows the guest to enjoy nature. But at the same time, they have modern amenities like ACs, washing machines, television, internet and more.
Although they have hired help for looking after the farm, Lakshmi and Kasturi like to tend to the plants and trees. Delicacies made from the farm products are served to the guests. They also provide the guests with local cuisine made by Lakshmi and Kasturi. This touch of homely food prepared with love is their USP which sets them apart from other farm stays.
As an elderly couple, the mother-daughter-in-law duo does get tried while running the farmhouse. But at those times, they take rest and come back with more energy. Also, the lockdown and pandemic affected the running of the farm stay as they did not get any customers for a while. But now the farm stay is active. Now, many people seek out Pico to take a break from their urban life and come for a rest among beautiful nature.
Credits: The Better India
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-Staff Reporter
