Jake Shedden was literally born into farming. His mother gave birth to him on the family farm at Barkers Vale, which he now runs with his wife, Lani, who grew up not far away, and also had her hands in the earth from a very young age. So, it’s not surprising the couple have pursued a life in agriculture.
‘We’ve always been gardeners in some form,’ Lani says. ‘Both of us have parents who instilled that love within us, and Jake has formal training in permaculture. And when we were young, we used fruit and veggie picking as a way to travel for many years all over Australia, so we experienced many types of farm operations.’
Lani says working on a wide variety of farms solidified the couple’s commitment to organic farming. Today they grow a broad range of vegetables, which you can find at Byron Farmers Market every Thursday morning. But as well as farming, Lani and Jake are also raising four children, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years, so they have their hands full. However, their passion for farming and farmers’ markets is strong.
‘Farmers’ markets still only make up a small percentage of market share compared to supermarkets, so we really want to push that to change because supermarkets are middle-men who profit from both the grower and the consumer,’ Lani says. ‘And they remove the social, environmental and heart connection between the two.
‘Buying direct from farmers is a powerful tool for fighting the disconnect of modern life. It’s an act of rebellion and connection. It’s a power that everyone has and I love to encourage people to use it.’
Lani says that farming on a smaller scale and selling their produce direct to customers through the local farmers’ markets brings many other benefits.
‘Being small scale means I can stay connected to my farm and the earth, to my plants and flowers, to my customers and community, to my kids and parents,’ she says. ‘We work from home and live close to nature and I have no desire to be consumed by the need for growth.’
‘The most rewarding thing about farming for me is the connection to the earth. Hands in the dirt, farming under the sun, moon and the stars. Early starts, hot and cold days, evening dinner-gathering walks, birdsong, wind, flowers, and the food itself. Our family shows love by sharing food. Now I get to share that love with others.’
You can find Hanging Rock Farm at Byron Farmers Market every Thursday morning from 7am to 11am.morning.
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