Elmarie de Bruyn, a software programmer and later interior decorator, and her husband, Kobus, moved from Johannesburg to the Cape in the early 1990s. Here, they rented the old Bienne Donné farmyard near Simondium, and started promoting South African cuisine.
Pietersarel de Bruyn, Elmarie’s son, explains that at the time, most restaurants still focused on European rather than uniquely South African dishes. Herbs were expensive, and his mother had always preferred using fresh produce in her cooking, so she started a small herb garden to supply the kitchen.
Before long, people from all over started flocking to her for plant material, resulting in the birth of Herbs Aplenty.
The area planted to herbs started out at less than a hectare, and this was gradually increased to 6ha, by which time the family had also begun experimenting with essential oils and other offbeat crops.
The family’s interest in essential oils was triggered when Elmarie arrived home from a trip to Provence in southeastern France with a book about lavender.
“Essential oil production was almost non-existent in South Africa, so we had to pay plenty of school fees to get where we are today. For example, we once had to replant an entire land after planting the wrong variety,” he recalls.
Today, the family produces a wide spectrum of organic crops, ranging from geranium, lavender and Khoi goes to bay leaf and rosemary, on its farm, Goedgegewe, near Tesselaarsdal. They are grown primarily for the extracts market.
The De Bruyns also supply non-organic crops in partnership with five farmers. Their combined production covers an area of about 120ha, making the partnership one of the biggest extracts producers in the country.
Denne historien er fra September 20, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra September 20, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
