Aarin’s lockdown farm project

Aarin’s lockdown farm project

22 July 2020

A DOWNPATRICK boy has been enjoying ‘The Good Life’ during the Covid-19 lockdown. 

Twelve year-old Aarin Rea has spent the past four months developing a miniature farm, complete with chickens, ducks, doves and even peacocks, in the garden of his Knochnashinna home.

He’s also growing fruit and vegetables in his allotment and specially built greenhouse, and he’s also planted apple trees.

His family and neighbours will soon be able to share in an abundance of potatoes, cabbages, lettuces, carrots, scallions, broad beans, tomatoes, strawberries and apples, as well as a supply of fresh eggs.

Aarin’s mum, Karin, says the miniature farm has helped bring the community together during the isolation of lockdown and has lifted everyone’s spirits. 

“It’s all everyone has been talking about lately,” she said. “They are always enquiring as to how the farm is coming along and Aarin couldn’t be any prouder at what 

he has achieved over the last few months.

“Aarin has been eager to get out every day to his little farm while he has been off school. He spent the good weather tending and watering his fruit vegetables both in the allotment and in the greenhouse, which his father, Anthony, built for him.”

Aarin is the proud owner of peacock chicks, which were hatched thanks to a tip from his grandfather, Leslie Rea, who told him to put golf balls underneath the peacocks to encourage them to lay eggs. 

Aarin, has since given his poultry flock some pretty ingenious names, and he now considers his ducks, James Pond and Quacky Chan, among some of his best friends.

Then there are his favourite hens, Hennifer Lopez, Princess Laya and Fluffy, who are very happy to the strutting around.

The newest arrivals are two doves, Holy and Spirit, which are housed in a newly-built dovecote and a turkey chick. 

However, Aarin’s favourite animal is his beloved Jack Russell, Lottie. 

Aarin’s farming skills have come a long way since be began growing potatoes in tubs.

“I sell my duck eggs to elderly neighbours who adore their distinct flavour. Our next door neighbour, Tommy Armour, is always giving me little bits of advice to help bring the brood along. Recently, it seems to be turning out to more of a community effort to be honest,” he said.

“At the beginning of lockdown I missed all my friends, but the farm helped keep me busy. 

“I wouldn’t be a great lover of completing schoolwork at home. I much prefer spending my time tending to my fruit and vegetables and caring for my new chicks. 

“Sometime my little sister, Grace, helps me. She is nine years old and is learning a lot more about farming than I ever thought she would. 

Aarin added: “I thought the good weather during lockdown helped my vegetables grow. The heat certainly helped. I had to water them every day but I don’t need to as much since the weather turned bad.”