This week - between freezing cold weather, an invasion of mole-rats, and pruning of dead wood out of our orchard, I'm reminded of one of my favourite farming proverbs:
"Plant four seeds in a row: one for the sparrow, one for the crow, one to wither, and one to grow."
It is such a great analogy for the perseverance, diversity, and respect for nature that is required when farming organically, naturally, and holistically. Our goal is to work together with the existing environment, instead of trying to control or change it. Although this means that in the long-term, the farm's ecosystem gradually becomes "healthier", stronger, more self-sufficient, and more able to handle adversity, it does also call for some short-term creative thinking to deal with difficulties that chemical or industrial-scale farmers wouldn't have to worry about. For example: consider that when we create an environment which is inviting for beneficial insects and pollinators, it is also inviting for all the pests... Hence the "plant four seeds" ideology - the philosophy of diversification stems from following nature's example of resilience through biodiversity. By not putting all the eggs in one basket, one essentially broadens the collective chance of success. This is reflected in all of our farming strategies, especially our choice to grow a multitude of crops, as opposed to just one or a few.
Likewise, we have selected multiple recipients of the Donation Bags; alternating between two soup kitchens in Cape Town and one in Piketberg. We chose smaller, less established ones for the simple reason that we feel they need the most support, and we're so very happy to report that to date, over only one month we have collectively taken the following to them, all thanks to donations from our wonderful customers:
- 36,4kg of Sweet Potatoes
- over 32 bunches of Carrots
- 74 Butternuts
- 24,8kg of Brown Onions
- 32,1kg of Naartjies
- 9.6kg of Potatoes
- 9.8kg of Oranges
- over 3kg of Brinjals
With such amazing results after just one month of taking donations, we are very excited about continuing to work as channels for them, and continuing helping those in need. We thank all of you for your support, and will keep you posted on all of our latest developments!
Some photos taken at the soup kitchens we've been supplying with Donation Bags over the past month.
Our next round of Boxes is set to feature Grapefruit; Avos; for the first time, the aromatic herb featured in much Indian and Asian cooking - Curry Leaves; and more. See the lists of what we're anticipating to include in each Box below.
When Will We Deliver?
Cape Town - Friday 03 July 2020:
◆ City Bowl – Dunkley Square Parking Lot, between 1PM-2PM
◆ Door Deliveries in Mowbray, Observatory, Woodstock, Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town CBD (delivery fee of R30), between 1PM-4:30PM
◆ Mowbray – 40 Malleson Road, between 4:30PM-5:30PM
Piketberg and Piket-Bo-Berg - Thursday 02 July 2020: ◆ Piketberg Home Deliveries between 10AM-12PM
◆ Piket-bo-berg Home Deliveries between 11AM-2PM
Standard Box:
✔︎ Broccoli
✔︎ Avocado
✔︎ Grapefruits
✔︎ Onions
✔︎ Carrots
✔︎ Radishes
✔︎ Cocktail Tomatoes
✔︎ Sweet Potatoes
✔︎ Naartjies
✔︎ Kale
✔︎ Curry Leaf Bunch
TOTAL VALUE: R174 YOU PAY: R150
Optional Add-ons: ● Fresh Free-range Farm Eggs: R25 per tray of 6 * Limited availability.
Donation Bag: ● A mixed bag of staple seasonal organic vegetables,
which will be donated to a soup kitchen or feeding scheme in Cape Town, Piketberg or Piket-bo-berg: R30 each
*All produce in our Boxes and Bags is seasonal and therefore subject to change. If an item becomes unavailable, we will replace it with another item(s) of equal value.
We welcome any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, queries, questions and friendly conversation, so please do get in touch. However, we trust that you understand that we will not be accepting visitors to the farm at this time.
