We strive to live life in harmony with nature. By respecting people, creatures and the environment alike we can all work together to reach higher levels and fulfil our dreams.
About Us – Company Profile
Sandveld Organics has been founded by Theunis and Susi Engelbrecht in 1998. As an organic farm in Lamberts Bay we have come through the years of learning mainly the hard way. In an area with low winter rainfalls, strong winds and high temperatures in summer the production of vegetables poses many challenges. I guess it is true to say that we have pioneered organic farming here on the West Coast. Sandveld Organics has achieved and maintained organic certification since inception in 1998.
We started initially with fresh vegetables only, and for a few years we worked very hard to gain and maintain the status of independent supplier to one of South Africa’s leading retail groups. In this time we learnt all there is about the packing and processing of fresh produce. Our premises and systems were upgraded to meet the latest standards in hygiene as well as all relevant occupational and environmental regulations. For many years we produced a selected range of fresh vegetables and distributed through Cape Town’s web of informal markets, organic box systems and shops
Today we concentrate on the production of a wide range of certified organic seeds. In the beginning this was only a sideline started due to the non-availability of organic seeds locally. Working closely with SATIVA of Switzerland we learnt about best practices in the selection and preparation of plant propagation material. We also evaluated the performance of selected Northern Hemisphere seeds in our climate to complement our range with quality imported seeds. In compliance with Plant Protection laws Sandveld Organics registered as a Producer, Processor and Seller of Seed with the Department of Agriculture in 2002.
Turning not quite perfect produce and fruit material left after seed harvesting into delicious preserves is an excellent way of utilising the whole harvest in a gainful way. We pickle and pot about everyting that grows here and, over the years, have tested and selected recipes for a range of jams, pickles and sauces that we are proud of. Our preserves can be found in farm stalls and delis as far as the Cape.
For years we shared our knowledge with emerging farmers and families starting food gardens. This involvement grew into a structured support programme developed in cooperation with various State Departments for communities in the Greater Cederberg area. With COVID lockdown and the emergence of readily available online learning material our involvement in formal training came to an end.
April 1998
Theunis & Susi Engelbrecht form SANDVELD ORGANICS CC and begin farming organically in Lamberts Bay, on the West Coast of South Africa.
September 1998
First organic certification inspection by Ecocert GmbH, Germany. Full organic certification is granted. This full organic certification has been maintained without fault. From 2011 onwards BCS Oeko Garantie GmbH has been used as certifying body.
April 2002
Registration with the Department of Agriculture as grower, cleaner and distributor of plant propagation material. This registration has been maintained ever since.
June 2002
Opening of own packaging premises, supplying initially as sub-packing facility of Patrysvlei Farms to Woolworths South Africa. In April 2004 Sandveld Organics is accredited as independent supplier to Woolworths South Africa
May 2006
Restructuring within Woolworths and the start of the ‘farming for the future’ leads to a shift towards large suppliers. Continuation of supply to Woolworths would have been uneconomical for both sides and mutual agreement is reached to end the relationship. Sandveld Organic starts supplying the more informal organic market in Cape Town developing close relationships with all major independent distributors of organic produce. This co-operation continues to this date.
Sandveld Organics starts building a distribution network for its range of preserves with organic ingredients along the West Coast and in the Cape. An increasing number of products now achieve certified organic status and distribution continues.
October 2007
Sandveld Organics begins working with Vukani Makhosikhazi, an emerging farmer’s project in Lamberts Bay. Starting with marketing assistance and the creation of a logo (developed with assistance of Siyakhula Advertising) this co-operation continues to this date with support where needed in the project's vegetable farming operation.
March 2008
Sandveld Organics launches its range of certified organic seed packages for retail. Sales have grown steadily since and seed is now distributed throughout South Africa.
April 2008
Sandveld Organics begins working with IWRM emerging farmers projects to help them achieve and maintain organic certification.
The projects were:
- Vukani Makhosikhazi, Lambert's Bay
- Suurrug Landbou Ontwikkelings Vereeniging, Wupperthal
- Breevlei Landbou Ontwikkelings Forum, Wupperthal
- Wupperthal Organic Emerging Farmers, Wupperthal
- Taraqwa Emerging Farmers, Petersfield, Citrusdal
Sandveld Organics assisted also with organic farming practice and marketing.
July 2008
Start of the Northern Sandveld Water Users Association's School Gardens Project involving the installation of rain water harvesting tanks and the establishment of School Gardens at three Primary Schools in the Sandveld.
The project closed in January 2010 with the handover of equipment and the three gardens to the school principals.
February 2009
Emerging farmers, projects are visited together with Siyakhula Advertising to work on logos for
- Suurrug Landbou Ontwikkelings Vereeniging, Wupperthal
- Breevlei Landbou Ontwikkelings Forum, Wupperthal
- Wupperthal Organic Emerging Farmers, Wupperthal
- Taraqwa Opkomende Boere, Petersfield, Citrusdal
A set of logos for emerging farmers in the Cedarberge is developed by Siyakhula and handed over ot the projects during a Cedarberg Emerging Farmers Forum meeting in May 2009.
December 2009
Initial contact is made with the Department of Agriculture’s representation in Clanwilliam with regard to continued support to emerging farmers. An investigation into the production of Essential Oils was looked at as an option.
February 2010
Training in organic farming practices offered by Sandveld Organics in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture starts with a series of courses on Integrated Pest Management in Wupperthal.
November 2010
Launch of small gardeners organic pest control packages in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. The supply of guaranteed non-GMO and chemically untreated seed begins as an alternative to scarce and expensive organic seeds for emerging farmers and NGO companies.
April 2011
Submission of a training program aimed at supporting the sustainable food security projects of the Department of Agriculture. The program is built on the training modules
- Sustainable Vegetable Production
- Integrated Pest Management
- Harvesting and Packaging
- Processing & Adding Value
- Seed Harvesting and Storage
March to May 2012
Presentation of the three module course combination of
- Sustainable Vegetable Production
- Integrated Pest Management
- Seed Harvesting and Storage
In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture’s extension offices in Clanwilliam and Wupperthal the training is presented over three months at the locations of Wupperthal, Nuweplaas, Suurrug, Heuningvlei, Eselbank and Algeria.
November 2012
A range of new training courses are proposed to the Department of Agriculture addressing and issues that had emerged during earlier training sessions:
- Plant Nutrition and Fertilisation
- Marketing and Sales
- Communication Skills and Leadership
- Business Ideas and Business Plans
May 2013
Consultative involvement started with Seeland Development Trust at Langklip Farm, St. Helena Bay.
August 2013
Founding member of the Steenboksfontein Farmers Market held every last Saturday of the month at Steenboksfontein outside Lamberts Bay. Farmers and entrepreneurs from the community have been involved and participate since inception.
November 2013
A two days training course on Sustainable Vegetable Production and Integrated Pest Management presented to Emerging Farmer Associations in Lamberts Bay.
May 2014
Study visit to Northern England (Farmers Markets in rural towns), Italy (traditional olive cultivation in the Toscana) and Switzerland (organic seed production at Sativa Rheinau).
October 2014
Display and Information Stand at a regional Emerging Farmers Day organized by the Department of Agriculture’s extension office in Clanwilliam.
December 2014
Household Food Gardens Capacity Building workshop presented in Lamberts Bay to members of the Elands Bay community. Rural Development & Land Reform, Agriculture and Water Affairs cooperated to make this day of information and training possible.
November 2015
Two day training workshop on all aspects of organic vegetable production and seed saving with ECOSOIL in Grabouw.
2017
Launch of on-line seed shop
April 2018
Two day training workshop on Seed Saving held with Grace 8 at Sandveld Organics, Lamberts Bay.
April 2018
Assist the Biodynamic Association of South Africa with the presentation of their Seed Saving training module at Bloublommetjieskloof, Wellington.
September 2018
Overseas visit to Italy, Mercato di Luino, and to Sativa Rheinau in Switzerland.
2019
Green your Garden series of training workshops for household gardens
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