SHAMBA is an acronym for Sustainable Homestead and Microclimate Based Agriculture. This conveys a focus on place-based agriculture, observation, and refinement. SHAMBA is founded on the principle that all living things deserve to be treated with respect, and that we can raise food in a manner that is in harmony with nature. The word “shamba” also happens to mean homestead in Swahili, and perfectly describes the scope of the farm: small and managed mostly by hand.

SHAMBA was started by me (Sarah) -  educator, yoga teacher, herbalist, beekeeper, and gardening enthusiast -  in 2016, but the story starts much earlier. Over a decade ago, I stumbled upon a beautiful piece of land and fell in love. I had been searching for a place to put down roots after traveling for much of my 20s, and luckily I found her spot. My goal was, and remains, to create an abundance of food while using efficient management systems and increasing the amount of resources here on the farm.

 Growth was slow at first as I worked full time in Austin, built a straw bale home, and had two beautiful children. I put in fruit trees, a garden, and chicken coop. When I began keeping bees, honey was added to the offerings and SHAMBA became official. Now I sell eggs, honey, herbal medicine and salves, and fresh herbs. Sustainability is the focal point of farm design and growth. As a certified permaculture designer, I use my knowledge (mostly made from mistakes!) to refine the flow of resources here on the farm to create products that are clean, natural, and safe. You can trust that SHAMBA products are created with love and care for the land, animals, and customers.