Today we’d like to introduce you to Selima Harbison.
Hi Selima, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a proud second generation Austinite who was blessed to grow up during the good old days when life in Austin was much simpler. Being an ADHD kid raised by hippie parents I was encouraged to pursue a vast array of interest, but being in nature is where I found solace. Eventually, I caved to societal pressure and studied Psychology at the University of Texas. Although, I loved and valued my education getting a degree was never my goal. My plan has always been to learn as much as possible about as many topics as possible. During this time I was living in South Austin right as the Grow Food Not Lawns movement was really taking roots. Myself and our neighbors were ripping out our water loving Bermuda grass for a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative….. fruits, veggies and herbs! Once I discovered organic gardening and permaculture it was like nothing else mattered. I took as many classes as I could at local nurseries, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and local community gardens. I was a woman on her path to soul work.
Eventually, I ran out of room and knew it was time to take my dreams to a larger garden and house with more land. Land in Austin…… is never easy or cheap so we moved to Lago Vista. It’s a quiet little town about 30 minutes outside Austin on the North Shore of Lake Travis. We moved and I began mentoring under local farmers. They taught me conventional farming and I shared my back ground in organic gardening and permaculture. Naturally we grew produce and I mean a lot of produce…… so I needed a place to sell it. Well, this little surprisingly didn’t have any of the beautiful farmers market or farm stands I was used to in Austin.
So, with the help of some amazing people, I decided to start my own. Unlike, many farmer’s markets in Central Texas., this is a farmers market ran by a farmer and a woman farmer at that. I get told a lot that I don’t look like a farmer and I’m perfectly okay with that. We also have the top Texas woman rancher and another female farmer at our market. I love changing people’s perceptions. We are also extremely proud to have focused on having veterans, POC, and women as our main vendors.
Our farmers market started six years ago with just a handful of vendors and it limped along through 110 degree summers, blistering cold winters, and even the fall when the rain tried to wash the whole damn town away. Now we survived a Pandemic that had us working harder than we ever imagined. Our market, our vendors, and our farms have survived everything the state of Texas and its crazy weather had to throw at us. We survived it together as a team and a family! In our 6th year I am extremely proud to say we are flourishing and thriving. This is all possible because of my amazing team of market managers and dedicated vendors that puts their hearts into this business. I’m also blessed to have two more farms to table businesses that I source through our farmers market. One is called Green Goddess that’s a Holistic Health business with a podcast (Green Goddess Holistic Health) and an online apothecary to help my clients and listeners heal themselves. The second is Posh Picnics Lakeside that is a lux picnic service to help introduce people to our amazing vendors and town!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles along the way is definitely being a young woman in a male dominated industry. Often people don’t take me seriously because they say I’m too pretty to work hard, as if that’s a thing. Another good example of an outdated belief I face a lot is that girls can’t use power tools or building things. Again absolute insanity! I live getting my hands dirty and putting in a good day of work on the farms it’s good for the soul.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a farmers market that strives for diversity amongst our vendors and a community centered atmosphere. Our market has lots of big events each month including plant sales, open air flea markets, artist events, and seasonal events. The Lago Vista Farmers Market tries to mix healthy living, culture, live music, education and local artisans with our local farmers and ranchers for a one of a kind market experience.
What’s next?
Going forward my team and I will be growing with the ever growing population of Central Texas while trying maintain our uniqueness. I will be continuing my podcast to help teach others how to use products from our market and healthy living to help heal them through my Green Goddess business. I’m excited to see where the Posh Picnics Lakeside business will grow since it’s my newest endeavor and a great outlet for our creativity. Lastly, my passion project this year is to make a documentary about all this and my journey to find bliss and enlightenment.
Contact Info:
- Email: Lagovistafm@gmail.com
- Website: Thelagovistafarmersmarket.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagovistafarmersmarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lagovistafarmersmarket/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2tr9rzE0sBXVER9caD_x9g
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