From jens@icon.co.zaThu Jun 6 21:54:20 1996 Date: Thu, 6 Jun 96 21:32:25 PDT From: jens@icon.co.za To: eaf-l@eaf.com Subject: Long-Interested South African. Resent-Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 15:34:38 -0400 (EDT) Resent-From: eaf-l@eaf.com To all interested friends of the EcoAgroForrestry List, A friend (Jo-anne Vosloo) and myself (Sally Giebelmann) are both small self-sufficient, free range, organic farmers in the North West Province of South Africa near the small town of Brits. We farm with egg laying & broiler chickens, ducks, geese, fish, rabbits, pigeons, pigs, meat & milk goats, vegetables, earthworms, herbs and horses. Sally produces eggs, milk & meat, for sale above home consumption, and processes excess goat milk into yoghurt and cheese. Jo-anne produces meat on a minimal bought feed system. Between the two of us we practice communal farming even though we both have our own farms, and they are about 30km apart (approx 18 and a half miles). We do this by, amongst other things, sharing all information we have access to and knowledge gained from many years of farming. We are continually experimenting with indigenous animals. With some animals we cross breed the indigenous with an animal designed for an intensive system. The result is a hardier, better end product for the consumer. We barter animals, feed, equipment and labor. Goods which have no use on one farm, that can be utilized on the other, are exchanged. Just about anything is bartered between our two operations, including notice of any special bargains to be had elsewhere as in stock or feed etc. A running record is kept, as to what moves between us and a cash value is allocated to each entry, although no money actually changes hands. >From using this communal system for the past two years, we have been able to increase productivity, reduce the operating costs, diversify the farming activities, thereby reduce risks involved and have a far broader base of knowledge concerning feeding animals, animal health, improved use of land and other natural resources. We efficiently use a variety of waste materials from various sectors, business and farming to our advantage. We are now able to enjoy a large variety of fresh food which is nutritious, and yet cheaper than store bought. Roast duck or goat are commonly enjoyed meals on our tables, we either would not be able to afford these luxuries, or simply would not find them over the average shop counter. Jo-anne has written a book about animal husbandry which Sally is in the process of illustrating, it is shortly to be published. The subjects discussed concern raising animals in intensive systems and the "free range" method. Other chapters detail feed animal health, and topics relating to animal production and vegetables. In the future we will be publishing a magazine three times a year concerning these particular subjects, animals, vegetables and the processing and use of the products. Sally opens her farm for school children to visit. The children experience and learn about the wonders of farm animals. We operate a small office for our own convenience, gathering information by telephone, fax and computer, while communicating with small and large farmers worldwide, also other professional or practicing people and organizations at all levels. Where ever possible, we are also willing to exchange information. Jo-anne and I have submitted a proposal to our local government in the hopes of receiving some funding towards a project of ours. As yet we have not registered a non profit business / trust, as this can only be done once funding is available. We have named our project: SHE Community Systems. Self-sufficient Healthy and Educational Communal Farming. The proposal is for the development and training of our people living in disadvantaged communities in the North West Province. Jo-anne and myself would like to offer our services as consultants, and train the communities to become as self-sufficient and sustainable as possible within their individual needs, values, traditional cultures and skills. We would also encourage community farming, and be available as an information service to our area, once the communities are self-reliant. With the implementation of this scheme, we will not only be teaching the people to feed themselves, but will be encouraging those with initiative to become more innovative and creative in their attitude and approach to ecological self-suffiency and later on possibly develop a more commercial farming operation while still retaining the ecologically sound background we promote. This change will not occur overnight, but after laying a stable foundation, an improvement will be seen at various levels over a period of time. Jo-anne and I believe that in this manner we will be addressing the need to feed our people, keep them healthier, create more job opportunities and stimulate the communities economy and spirit, interaction, education and dialog. We would like to stay in contact with all of you on the EAF list, as i'm sure you could offer us very valuable advise, and possibly some exchange. Could any one put us into contact with other like minded practical people or organizations in South Africa or Africa in particular, that would be beneficial to both parties? If you have the same interests, please feel free to contact us, no matter which country you live in. Has any one out there an idea of possible funding, sponsorship / donations and / or equipment we could get from elsewhere, once SHE Community Systems has been registered? Thankyou in advance for taking up your time, and any knowledge you are able to pass on to us. Kind Regards Sally and Jo-anne. Postal Address: Zenzele Farm Or Jo-Jo's Place P.O. Box 2117 P.O. Box 2798 Randburg Brits 2125 0252 South Africa. South Africa. Telephone: +27 1211 502 899 +27 1211 540 454 Cell phone: 082 448 9505 Fax: +27 1211 502 517 E-mail: jens@icon.co.za ------------------------------------- Sally and Jens-Birger Giebelmann E-mail: jens@icon.co.za Date: 05/22/96 Time: 18:50:10 This message was sent by Zenzele Farm Brits, NWP, South Africa Tel.: +27 1211 502899 Fax.: +27 1211 502517 -------------------------------------