Meet a pioneer in the organic industry

Jenny Slabber, the owner and founder of Talborne Organics, has more than 40 years' experience in the organic industry.

- Janine Ryan

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised on a Karoo sheep farm in the Hanover district and attended school at Union in Graaff-Reinet.

I studied home economics in the Cape where the link between good food and nutrition, with soil as the basis of health in plants, animals and people starts. You are what you eat!

When did you get into agro-processing?

In 1990, my husband Mike and I established our first factory (in the recycling or circular economy) for local supply to animal feeds, and local and export to nurseries and farmers for fertiliser.

What drove you to begin Talborne Organics?

We initially exported natural organic fertilisers to Germany for use in the vineyards and herb farming as traditional slow-release fertilisers, for farmers to comply with environmental legislation to reduce the pollution in rivers and seas caused by leaching of chemical fertilisers.

What is the mission and vision of Talborne Organics?