Meet the Hackmans: Family shares story at Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS — The Hackman Family shared their story as Featured Farmers at the Indiana State Fair this year.

Thomas and Ruth Hackman operate a 100-year-old farm with their children, Victor, Jacquelyn, Megan and Allison. They raise everything from corn and soybeans to watermelon and cattle.

Thanks to a lot of hard work, the family was able to pay for their children’s college education, debt free, through their produce venture.

“I don’t think any of us realized what a big deal that was until we went to college,” Jacquelyn said.

“We graduated and all our friends are talking about their loan payments and we’re like, ‘That’s so expensive.’ We never drew a salary from the farm, but we did it knowing that it was going to pay for college. We got paid a lot better than a salary.”

The Hackmans most recent venture is a produce subscription service, delivering fresh food to customers’ doorsteps in Jackson and Washington counties.

Customers can pick a four-, six- or 12-week subscription and have the option to add fresh flowers. They can choose a small or large box delivered weekly or every other week throughout the summer.

The family likes to throw in a recipe or two to share ideas on how to use the produce.

To continue expanding, Hackman Family Farm Market teamed with an Indiana hydroponics producer and an orchard to provide more variety to their boxes.

Lettuce, herbs, peaches and apples now make their way into subscription boxes, as well as spices and jams.