Name : Emma Cameron
Business Name : Back Paddock Botanical – Lavender and Herb Farm
Role : Co-Owner
If we had to step into your (she wear) shoes (pun intended), what could we expect a day in your life to feel like?
I’m usually up very early – coffee in hand – out with my dogs in the yard before heading to the Lavender Field to start the day. Honestly, no two days are the same. One day we’ll be weeding, mowing, maintaining and the next we’re making and testing products in the shop and then the next we’re distilling lavender or other herbs grown on farm for essential oils. In between all that there is social media and content creation, welcoming campers and working on whatever the next addition is that we’ve decided to add to the farm.
What do you enjoy about your role? What is your favourite part of your job? :
Being outside with my face in the sun and my feet on the earth will always be my favourite part of the job. It is truly something special to be surrounded by the scent of Lavender and herbs all day and being able to call it work. I also love the variety of jobs that can fill a day, as well as being able to work alongside my family.
How did you get into your trade/industry/role? What did you study or how did you learn your skills? :
That’s a long and winding story! The condensed version is - I was a beef and cropping farmer for most of my life, with a few stints in the admin side of agriculture and even a side trip to do my Diploma of Beauty Therapy - which is where I first stumbled upon a love for aromatherapy and all things herbal and natural. Add that all together and the plan to switch from conventional agriculture to a Lavender and Herb Farm was born. The plans started around 6 years ago and the first plants went into the ground in 2023.
What advice would you give to other women? What are some tips you’d give to other people in the industry?
Don’t let anyone stop you and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and look silly! Learning is lifelong and everyone starts somewhere. Lastly, don’t gate keep and don’t fall into the competition game, especially with other women – there is no limit to what women supported by other women can do!
Do you have a favourite saying or quote, or mantra that you live by?
Don’t get weighed down by the negative stuff, actively try to look for the good. Both on days that aren’t the best and in people who aren’t at their best. After all, if the sun comes up and you wake up, that’s a great day already!
Tell us a funny story about your role or an amusing experience you’ve had :
Well, dobbing myself in here (haha) but this ties in with not being afraid to look silly. So - I once trimmed 500 young lavender plants with herb snips because I didn’t know if they were strong enough/big enough to be trimmed with electric trimmers! Tip – they can.
Have you ever encountered any negative experiences that, although difficult at the time, may have helped shape who you are today? :
I think every woman has some of these and especially those of us who’ve worked/work in male dominated industries. I once had an older farmer ask me if I still cooked and cleaned for the men I worked with (thanks, mate). Those kinds of comments get less and less every year though, and every woman stepping into a role once dominated by notions like that, makes it easier for the next woman to step into it. So get out there!
How do you feel about your she wear boots?
I’m onto my third pair of she wear boots and they live on my feet every day of the year. From keeping my feet dry on the farm where it rained 80 inches a year to protecting my toes when I’ve dropped anything from pots, to hammers on them. They’ll definitely work as hard as you do!
You can check out Emma and her family's beautiful farm, Back Paddock Botanical, here.
Website: backpaddockbotanical.
Instagram: instagram.com/