High Season Farm in the Western Cape’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley extends over 40ha, 22ha of which are occupied by grazing for Nguni cattle and cottages. The balance of the farm is covered in fynbos and borders the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.
“My husband, Richard, grew up on a dairy farm in Ireland, and I come from the Kalahari in the Northern Cape, so farming is in our DNA,” says Jani Slattery. The couple lived in Mozambique where they worked in hospitality before coming to manage High Season Farm, owned by the Gordon Frew Trust, seven years ago.
“We want to show city people how a farm works and create a place that is safe for children and pets, but that is also close to beaches, wine estates and restaurants of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. We’re the only farmers in the valley who farm Nguni cattle and not wine grapes. We also offer the most accommodation: 40 beds spread over eight self-catering, four-star-graded cottages,” she says.
FARMHOUSE CHIC
Farmer’s Weekly stayed in The Lodge, a three-bedroom home that sleeps up to six people.
“The Lodge is the oldest house on the farm,” says Slattery, “and we wanted to keep its old-farmhouse vibe when it came to the interiors. The other cottages once served as horse stables and working buildings, which we developed into more modern-looking accommodation.”
According to Slattery, High Season is frequently fully booked on weekends by wedding parties of couples who are celebrating their nuptials on the nearby wine farms.
“There are also many guests who return each year for a long stay,” she adds. “We’re perfect for active guests who want to hike or go mountain biking.
Denne historien er fra July 02, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra July 02, 2021-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
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
