I’M A FARMER’S DAUGHTER—AND SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT MAKES ME LESS

By the next school week, I wasn’t just baking pies anymore—I was building a small farm-to-table business called “Mele’s Roots.” Soon, orders began pouring in from teachers, students, and even the girl who had once made fun of me. My parents had taught me to bake by feel and instinct, and I started incorporating the stories of our farm into my schoolwork and essays.

As a senior, I created a short film about our farm for a special identity project. When it was shown at school, the applause started slowly and then grew into a powerful standing ovation. Izan approached me afterward and said, “Told you your story mattered.”

He was absolutely right. For so long, I had believed that being a farmer’s daughter made me less visible or significant. But I eventually learned the truth: it makes me rooted. This deep connection to my heritage is a part of who I am, and it’s a strength that no one can ever take away. It is the foundation of my identity and the source of my unique purpose in the world.