Micro-farming among the poor Cape Town

Dear GG  Friends, herewith an earlier than usual report about our farmers success in selling their beautiful produce.

Harvest of Hope is the name of their marketing initiative and they are full of hope as a result. They are selling their produce to a few organisations, one of which (their biggest client called Ladles of Love) distributes it to feeding schemes. So a virtuous cycle is created.

The produce is all poison free, organically grown and of a high standard.Currently there are 80 farmers involved from 60 gardens and more wanting to join the fun all the time.

For unemployed people to become successful micro-farmers takes quite a lot of effort and dedication. And to grow such excellent produce is a sign of high achievement.

 Thank you one and all for your ongoing support to our micro-farmers. It really makes a big difference and goes a long way to make our training and mentorship continually available to the poor here in Cape Town.

Many thanks once again

Rob Small

Dear Friends, here in Cape Town its winter, with lots of rain, so we spend extra time on training indoors.

One of our most popular training courses is Agriplanner (see pic), where the farmers learn agri businiess principals in a kind of monopoly game.This runs over four days and includes skills development with production planning, planting techniques, crop rotation, financial management and record keeping. It provides farmers with a comprehensive understanding of the risks and challenges associated with advancing their farming practices, including market access.

Other training involves schoolkids during their school holidays where the youth could learn how to start their own garden.  They were very inquisetive and asked many questions, as kids do (-;  They were delighted to get a starter pack so that they can plant their own garden at home. 

We also do nutrition training during the winter, focussing on the importance of eating healthy  and the benefits of different vegetables.  We try to combine this with practical demonstrations so that farmers can also try new receipies and veggies they would normally not eat.  

Thank you for continuing to support us, your help and interest is always so very important.

Rob