A.H. Hartman and his brothers were raised on a diversified farm near an informal settlement called Sunland, in the Heart of the Sundays River Valley, situated in the Eastern Cape. Under guidance of Oupa Andries, A.H. Hartman and his brothers gained experience in farming and also general trade. On the farm was a successful butchery and a small scale abattoir. Oupa Andries and the boys had to attend lots of livestock auctions in connection to their farm and that proved to be very valuable experience. A.H. Hartman had to visualize and identify what character a good potential animal on the hoof would look like. Back then he already established a greater respect for the farmer itself, being in the same position and being in constant contact with his peers. After moving to the Southern Cape in 1989, he established a well renowned family butchery known today as Hartman & Sons Butchery.