By Robyn Joubert
Twenty young agricultural interns have set off on a one-year sustainable agriculture programme at the Living Soils Community Learning Farm in Stellenbosch, with up-and-coming female farmers making up 65% of the intake.
Established in 2019 on Spier Wine Farm in a collaborative effort between Woolworths, Spier and the Sustainability Institute, the farm aims to equip interns for employment across the food and farming sector.
The farm focuses on developing regenerative farming knowledge, soft skills and leadership abilities, and supports local tertiary institutions by offering students practical opportunities to apply their academic learnings while gaining essential work experience.
In 2024, eight interns graduated from the programme, with two securing employment immediately thereafter and two going on to pursue further studies.
The 2025 intake will be put through their paces both on the field and in the greenhouse, with tractor driving lessons sponsored by AFGRI Equipment Bellville, and tunnel and on-field irrigation maintenance training provided by Vegtech Netafim.
Living Soils Community Learning Farm enjoyed a milestone year in 2024, when revenue increased 45% and fresh produce yields increased 214% to 15 773kg. Of this, 9 877kg was donated to local communities and early childhood development centres to promote local food security.
The farm is currently planning to expand area under crops by 90%, from 1.1ha to 2.1ha, and to broaden its crop mix to include peppers, butternut, marrows, tomatoes and turnips, to place a greater variety of food on household tables.
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