Walk, shop and family fun in Glen Austin

The recently-established Farmers’ Market has brought a communal spirit enjoyed by Glen Austin residents for almost 10 months.

“The whole idea behind the market was to use the De Vos farm as a community facility where neighbours can gather and get to know each other,” said organiser, Megan Hudson.

“We have a saying that goes, a community that plays together looks after one another.”

The event is held every first Saturday of the month and has also housed some of Midrand’s well-known charities. “Kitty and Puppy Haven, as well as the Midrand SPCA, have held fundraising drives here,” Hudson said.

Hudson said that they insist that whatever is sold at their market is either homemade, homegrown or handmade as they are promoting a lifestyle with those values.

Locals which took this brief to heart is the Fernthough family. They have about 10 lemon trees on their plot. “This is more than enough for a small family,” said Jacque Fernthough, a father of three. He said that when the market started, he and his wife, Samantha, saw an opportunity to not only teach their children entrepreneurial skills but to also find a way to use up their excess lemons. “We first started by making lemon cordials, now we even have chutney,” said Fernthough.

Samantha said this has taught their children the value of money. “They make the products themselves and they even gave us the company name – Blue Tractor Farm – because we have a blue tractor,” she said.

“Through this, their judgment has improved as they have learned to equate hard work with revenue.” The Fernthoughs added that the money they make from the venture is distributed among their children for pocket money.

Jeanette Bradley, who has a small bee farm, sells her 100 percent pure Glen Austin honey at the market and said every bottle is unique. “The joy of honey is that every bottle tastes different and has its own flavour,” said Bradley.

In addition to the market, the De Vos family has opened their farm to the public for a 5km-trail run.

Details: www.facebook.com/soswellness.glenaustin