Growing and Homesteading - Waionehu Wild
Inspired by their time living with their four children on the South Coast of NSW, a nearby heritage property's market garden, ménage of animals, farm tours and workshops, encouraged Grant and Sharlene to dream of a sustainable and profitable set up at their family farm back in New Zealand. Upon their return in 2022, with one of their children recovering from a serious brain injury, the couple embraced a new chapter after Grant left his shipping career and Sharlene sold her florist shop.
Their journey began with revitalising an old shade-house and establishing experimental herb and kitchen gardens. From these humble beginnings, they expanded to a paddock for growing vegetables for local supply and a cosy chook house complete with four happy hens. As well as feeding the family, produce from these gardens became a range of edible offerings focused on gut and brain health, including sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, beetroot relish, and pickled gherkins made using an old family recipe.
Improving soil health, chemical-free growing, seasonality and reducing waste are important to Grant and Sharlene. The fruit from trees planted generations before are picked and used as ingredients in products, reflecting their passion to waste-free farming. While a passion for sourdough bread and fermenting has led to workshops, where they share their knowledge to an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.
Adding to their repertoire, Sharlene crafts a range of lifestyle products using natural and organic ingredients. Soap, body oil, bath salts, and scented wax wardrobe tablets are all showcased at local markets and their online farm shop. “The response to what we are doing and making has been amazing and we are so thankful to the local community for supporting us. Life is busier than ever!”
The Russells are also dedicated to environmental stewardship, replanting native species along waterways bordering the farm to encourage bees and wildlife, reduce erosion and to improve water quality in the Waionehu stream, for which their venture is named after. Their future plans include expanding their farm tours, cultivating a wildflower garden, installing beehives, building a farm shop, tea garden, edible garden and food forest, and possibly hosting long table 'paddock to plate' events.
Discover Waionehu Wild's offerings at Waipu Boutique Sunday Market, Marsden Cove Marina, Mangawhai Tavern Markets, or their online farm shop where you can explore workshops, browse products, and learn more about Waionehu Wild.