The McSweeneys — Jim, his wife, Lisa, and kids Forrest and Priya — all live on Pynchon Farm. Jim McSweeney is a certified arborist and horticulturalist. The family farm is a hobby for McSweeney, who also runs Hilltown Tree and Garden, and he's proud of both.
But, these days, most of the pride is because of Priya. In April, Priya passed the state's examination to become a certified arborist at just 16 years old. And it makes sense why.
"I love spending time with the natural world," she said, sitting on a stone in the front yard of the family's farm, as their goats bleated and turkeys gobbled. It's a beautiful day on the farm, and Priya explains what drew her to the field, so to speak. "I grew up loving the animals on this farm," she said.
"I love my emus." In 2020, when the whole world went dark, Priya decided she wanted to be homeschooled. She was in the seventh grade then.
"I started spending a lot of time in nature and really thrived," she said. "That's when it clicked for me that I wanted to become an arborist and horticulturalist." Since deciding to leave traditional schooling, Priya said she has fallen only deeper in love with nature.
"I love being outside, and I'm able to pursue my passions," she said. She is also working as an intern at her father's business, taking classes at Smith College in Northampton, and taking online homeschooling classes to pass the GED in a couple of years. With her father's help, Priya said her interest in being an arborist and horticultu.
