Greetings from the farm! With over 100mm of rain in just a few days, new Lockdown restrictions, Collection Point changes, endings of old crops and sprouting of new crops, the past 30 days have been rather eventful to say the least! As always, we're humbled that you are interested in our journey and experiences, here is a little window into our world and what's in store for the time being...
Important News
POPI Act
As we're sure you are well aware, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into effect recently. We want to take this opportunity to respect your privacy and ensure that your personal information and communications are kept secure and confidential. Please feel free to unsubscribe at the bottom of this email, if you no longer wish to receive communications from us.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at thosewhoharvest@gmail.com.
Collection Point Changes
Along with the latest Lockdown restriction changes, we were thrown a curveball by the government, as our good friends and Collection Point, The Ladder on Bree Street are temporarily closed. So our City Bowl Collection Point is once again Dunkley Square parking for the time being. Please keep an eye on our social media pages and emails for any changes in this regard.
Month Orders Now that we're into a new month, our month-orders are open again, so you are welcome to order Boxes upfront for selected or all delivery dates in July on one invoice for your convenience.
Freshly transplanted Swiss Chard seedlings in our Gazebo patch.
Updates from our Fields and Gardens
With full-blown winter upon us, the palette of crops shifts and changes. Our harvesting slows down and we focus more time and energy on germinating seedlings for the upcoming Spring crop, pruning trees before their next blossom, and preparing beds for when the temperatures begin to warm up. We have newly transplanted Cauliflower crops in the open field and in one of the greenhouses; our Dinosaur (AKA Black Palm) Kale is growing steadily in the gazebo alongside a new crop of Swiss Chard, and in our nursery Emma Lettuce and Bok Choy seedlings patiently await a gap in the rainy cold days when we can transplant them out. Our crops of Porcelain, Egyptian Pink, and Elephant Garlic seem to be thriving thanks to protection from the cold and hard rains, provided by the thick layer of old thatching grass we applied as mulch a few weeks ago.
While the temperatures remain low, farm tasks turn to pruning the Almond and Peach orchards, preparing them for blossom in Spring - ensuring their branches are strong and well-spaced to carry fruit, and sufficient sunlight and airflow reaches inside each tree to prevent diseases and pest damage. Then, as winter begins to warm, we will be seeding the next crop of Baby Marrows for Spring, and are preparing to plant a crop of Broccoli beside our tunnel greenhouses.
Lastly, we are also in the process of looking at offering dried herbs as Add-ons to our Boxes. This would entail adding extra bed-space to our crop plans, where we could plant a few rows of perennial herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, Sage and Winter Savoury, which are hardy and can easily be dried once harvested. More on that in the weeks to come!
A Changing World
The valley looking so very lush after over 100mm of rain in just a few days.
The month has been one of downpours and drenches, gales and gusts, freezing cold and frequent fires burnt to keep our (rather airy) farmhouse warm; suffice to say: winter in true Western Cape fashion. And truth be told, despite the numb fingers and toes, we couldn't be happier! As farmers we have come to see rain and so-called miserable, dreary weather in a completely different light, revelling in the life it brings to the land, graciously embracing the change from drought-ridden sand and wilting landscapes to lively soil and full lakes. However, one can't help but question the connection between 100km/h winds felt on the farm, and record-breaking heatwaves on the other side of the globe on the very same day. There is no denying that weather patterns are shifting and changing, and seasons are not what they used to be - falling over different periods, having higher highs, lower lows, more rain in some parts, less in others, and in all cases being increasingly more unpredictable. As farmers, and as citizens of earth, we are taking these signs as indicators of challenging times ahead - something we must factor in to not only our long-term farming practices and crop planning; but decisions in general; like where and how to build a house, collect water, and obtain energy. Each of us has a role to play in mitigating these changes, but in any and all cases, we need to bear them in mind when we envision the future.
Our carrots are feeling the love! They are in season, and perfect for wintery soups, stews and bakes.
What's In Season
On that note, here is your handy guide to help you eat seasonally, looking at what is typically available at this time of year in the Western Cape
With the current climates (environmental, social, economic and political), the pressures are palpable to us all - in particular, small businesses, organisations and entrepreneurs. Naturally, we are firm believers in supporting small and supporting local, for various reasons, and we've decided to mention a few wonderful examples that we've engaged with or found recently:
The Ladder - 136 Bree Street, Cape Town Although they are temporarily closed, keep an eye out for when they reopen to enjoy their amazing new menu, wonderful coffees and drinks, and welcoming vibe. www.instagram.com/TheLadderOn136
Piquet Collective & Berg Coffee - 9B Kerkstraat, Piketberg Our current Collection Point in Pikeberg, Piquet Collective offer a huge range of artisinal and diverse products, ranging from locally-made goods and treats and gifts, to organic supplements, chocolates and homeware. Locally-roasted Berg Coffee offers not just coffee for takeaways, but bags of their freshly ground and roasted coffee beans; and homemade sweet treats like brownies and mini cakes to enjoy with a freshly brewed cup. www.instagram.com/PiquetCollective and www.instagram.com/BergCoffeeShop
Cream Of The Crop - Cape Town Lovely Maria runs Cream Of The Crop, offering a subscription-style service delivering fresh, absolutely delicious milk, butter and yogurt made from wholesome local grass-fed jersey cows. www.instagram.com/CreamOfTheCropButter
Transcending History Tours - Cape Town Some of our most loyal, long-standing supporters have been Melissa and Lucy from Oppie Yaart. Local activists in their own right, check them out on Instagram for an insightful perspective from people who share our goals of changing the food system, chronicling their experiences of "growing soil, food, medicine and community on the #CapeFlats". Lucy has also recently launched Transcending History Tours - "walking tours that speak to indigenous people and Cape slavery in the city, walking in the footsteps of our ancestors." www.transcendinghistorytours.com
Adré's Kitchen - Cape Town Another great supporter of ours and other local small-scale farmers alike, Cape Town-based foodie Adré offers delectable posts on Instagram - just a small taste of her amazing plant-based cooking workshops and recipes. www.instagram.com/AdresKitchen
MUL Jewellery - Cape Town Longtime friend of ours, Megan started MUL during the first Lockdown, crafting the most beautiful and detailed rings, necklaces, pendants and more, with open encouragement for custom creations and illustrations. www.instagram.com/MUL__Jewellery
Carbon Collective - Cape Town If you are interested in natural farming methods, or using locally-made eco-friendly and organic inputs to help your plants, check out Carbon Collective - James and Brandon are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. www.instagram.com/CarbonCollectiveZA
Mama Alles - Cape Town Cath is a multi-talented amazing individual who has earned her nickname of "Mama", hence the name of her business, Mama Alles, offering delicious lightweight meals for travelling and outdoors. www.instagram.com/Mama_Alles
Give Her Hope Soap - Cape Town A small handmade all-natural, artisanal soap producer that aims to empower women in their local community, also offering vegan-friendly products. www.instagram.com/GiveHerHope_Soap
LEAPS Animal Rescue - West Coast We would be remiss if we did not mention our new friend of the four-legged kind, who has just joined us on the farm, Jupiter (AKA Jupa). This (not-so-little) rescued puppy from Lambert's Bay has taken to farm life slowly but surely, and now loves playing with our other farm dog, Thali; running around the orchards; and snuggling up by the fireplace; but he still is rather unsure of the sheep! We're glad to have him join the family!
Hugest of thanks goes to Michelle of LEAPS, the wonderful organisation that put us in touch with Isabel, who was looking after him until we adopted him. www.instagram.com/HelpingThePaw
And lastly... Ultimately, any local small business will appreciate your choice to support them over, say, a franchise store. So why not grab a bite or drink from the little cafe or shop on your corner, as opposed to one of the chain stores that are popping up all over the place in the wake of all those that have been forced to close down.
Nature As A Whole “Nature is one body. We can say that while human beings and insects are part of nature, they also represent nature as a whole. And if that is so, when we harm plants, microorganisms, and insects through large-scale conventional agriculture, we are harming humanity as well.”
- Masanobu Fukuoka, Sowing Seeds in the Desert: Natural Farming, Global Restoration, and Ultimate Food Security
If you enjoyed this newsletter, and think somebody else might like it too, please feel free to forward it on. If you're interested in reading a bit about our experiences, visit our website thosewhoharvest.com to find out more and read our blog.
