What started as a throw away title while supporting her husband James Rebanks on his book tours, Helen Rebanks now proudly refers to herself as the farmers wife - a title that has very much become her identity & set in her a burning desire to write her own book about invisible women who’s stories are not told. As a mother of four & the backbone for their farming ventures in the Lakes District in the UK, Helen declares that the only people who work harder than farmers are farmers wives. I reckon she's right! She is a small in stature, large in capability kind of woman who truly loves her daily reason to get out of bed & nurture her family. hold the many threads of keeping a family going, setting the pace and rhythm. She speaks of honouring our capability to be in service with love, empathy compassion & a regular roast on the dinner table not just on Sundays. Through this lens she is bringing her own kind of approach to combatting corporate greed, multi national farmland ownership & returning us to localised food systems. Food that’s made with love & care says “I’m nourished & looked after” - imagine being the person in the house that provides this service” This story is about speaking up for those who hold families together, hold communities together. We need small farm futures with local food systems. Knowing where our food comes from & being able to ask the questions. Join us at her at her kitchen table. Links You'll Love The Farmers Wife Helen Rebanks book The Sheppard's wife Insta handle Loved this? Try these: Ep 54 Mara from Orto farm Ep 121 Nat Wilmott Support the Show Casual Support - Buy Me A Coffee Regular Support - Patreon Buy the Book - Futuresteading - Live Like tomorrow matters We talked about: Speaking up for the women who sit behind the regenerative family farmers life. Thinking holistically about life on the land - It's WHOLE! The farmers table as a gathering place Reasons for transitioning into regenerative practices. Sharing her farming stories to help others transition their on earth practices "If I’ve ever felt minimised in the work I do its not been by me or my family" Living small & living local rather than chasing a celebrity culture is what she strives for. Our deep disconnection to our food. The power of a meal around the table Tomatoes on toast or scrambled eggs IS DINNER The role of motherhood taught her to become a voice for the process of becoming a mother. We can suffer in silence or talk to each other & learn. Sharing very vulnerable things in the hope it helps others. Support the show
