The Brightside: Little Wagon Produce Legacy

GREENWOOD, Del. – It’s no secret agriculture is a big part of the Delmarva community, as many families have been farming here for generations. At Little Wagon Produce, best known for their sweet corn, they continue to instill their farming practices and love for agriculture into the next generation.

“It’s just a good way of living, hard work. My grandmother used to say hard work will never kill you.” Hard work has kept Little Wagon Produce in business for over 35 years. Becky and Danny Vanderwende, are well known in the Sussex County community as a family that takes pride in their love and passion for agriculture. “If you had asked us at that time, we had no idea that we were going to be a full-time produce market,” says Becky. “I enjoy the customers and I enjoy growing the flowers.”

Daniel Vanderwende, better known as Danny, or to many, Farmer Dan, says he enjoys the physical work on the farm the most. While farming is in their blood, the birth of Little Wagon Produce, stemmed from the owner’s kid’s 4-H project, and a way to raise money for college. “The kids wanted to put a picnic table at the end of the lane to sell some of the extra produce. They did pretty well until one day their mayonnaise jar was stolen! then we decided to put a wagon down at the end of the lane because they were doing so well,” says Becky. She adds, “We just tell people to come to the little wagon with the kids! So that’s how it got its name, little wagon.”

Now 35 years later, Little Wagon Produce has become a staple in the community, and their four kids, now adults, and eight grandchildren are the definition of a family business. Becky says, “One of them likes to sweep, the other one likes to clean up and dust, and my grandson likes to carry things to the car for people.” Danny adds, “They may not work directly on the farm but they are going to be ag-oriented, and that pleases me.”

We’re told Danny has been farming his whole life. Growing up on a dairy farm, falling in love with agriculture was easy, and he tells WMDT, that it decided to carry on a farming legacy even easier. However, the owners say they certainly don’t do this because it doesn’t come with challenges. “You have so many things working against you, you have the weather, you can’t control the weather, you can’t control how many insects they’re going to be, you can’t control what people are going to want,” says  Becky.

However, the owners say every once in a while, you hit it just right, and for the Vanderwendes, their growing business proves they’re getting it as right as possible. “Farming takes a lot of hours, hours that you wish sometimes to be somewhere else, but you have to be involved in your production side of it,” says Danny. “The total dollars aren’t always gratifying, what you do is sometimes more gratifying.”

We’re also told, that it’s educating the community along with their children that truly excites them; Knowing they can instill these farming practices in the next generation. Danny explains, “As I talk to the customer, I find out how removed most customers are from the farm.” He adds, “It’s hard for people to understand how many people it takes to produce all the food that we get not only in the United States but in the world. I like communicating with them and bringing them back down to earth a little bit.”

Whether community events for holidays, adding more greenhouses, a dog trail, or a playground, the Vanderwendes are there ready to meet needs, so farming practices and love for agriculture remain for years to come.

Both Danny and Becky are hoping to retire in the next few years, and most farmers know you never truly retire, however their kids all pitch in to care for their farm, and the market so one day they’ll be able to take over.

If you’d like to visit, head to 2667 Seashore Highway in Greenwood, or stay up to date by visiting their Facebook page.