Sliding glass doors provide a spectacular view of the dam and Mostertshoek mountains.
The first homestead of the Dicey family was established in the Hex River Valley in 1892. The family-owned business, Rora, acquired Palmietvlei Farm near Wolseley in 2016, and today grows blueberries in pots and under nets on 30ha of the farm's available 55ha.
While running a solid agricultural business, Palmietvlei's owners have recently taken advantage of the increased interest in rural tourism and the ecofriendly trend of repurposing used shipping containers as accommodation.
The farm offers three accommodation units: the FamTin, in repurposed containers accommodating four guests; the Riverstone House, the original stone farmhouse with four bedrooms sleeping nine people; and the CouplesPod container accommodation for two people, built in 2020, where Farmer's Weekly was billeted.
If ever there were an example of what great design can achieve with repurposed containers, this must be it. The structural make-up was the work of Innovative Modular Concepts of Grabouw, while the interiors were designed by owner Claire Dicey.
THIS IS WHAT GREAT DESIGN CAN ACHIEVE WITH REPURPOSED CONTAINERS
A vast covered veranda with a window seat, hanging-basket chair, large refectory-style timber table and a built-in braai are all perched on the edge of a lawn at one of three dams on the farm.
Guests are allowed to swim in all the farm dams, as well as catch and release fish: tilapia in the CouplesPod dam and trout in the others.
Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-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
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
