Permaculture nurtures life into barren soil

Kathryn Eybers and Ross Dwyer have transformed a degraded ostrich farm into an economically viable, vibrant healthy ecosystem. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

- Kathryn Eybers and Ross Dwyer

FAST FACTS

• Manure, chaff, indigenous earthworms and mycelium were used to kick life back into the soil. 
• Chicken mobiles are rotated over plant beds to fertilise the soil and help keep problem insects and worms under control.
• A huge diversity of plants are planted into each planting bed.

In 2004, when Kathryn Eybers and Ross Dwyer bought Numbi Valley, near De Rust in the Klein Karoo, the soil was so depleted they were told they would never be able to farm anything there. However, they believed they could transform the land by using permaculture design, and have since turned the farm into a viable operation, working in harmony with nature.

To understand how, we need to understand Eybers and Dwyer’s background. The couple met during a soil science class while studying BSc Agric at Natal University. Neither came from a farming background, but both had a vision for restoration work.