Going The Extra Mile For A New Generation Of Farmers

Springfield Farm has invested in learnerships for its workers, has an open-door policy for agriculture students, and offers mentorships to emerging farmers. Lindi Botha reports.

- Lindi Botha

Springfield Farm, in the lush Levubu valley of Limpopo, was one of the first in the area to have macadamia nuts planted to its orchards. Coupled with decades of knowledge of avocado and pecan nut production, the farm is an ideal training ground for new farmers wanting to capitalise on crops for which demand appears to be insatiable.

Recognising the opportunity to share their knowledge, the farming operation started taking in agricultural students to do their practical training some 20 years ago. Each year they host three or four students, who are rotated between the different sections on the farm.

“This gives them a full understanding of how the whole operation comes together,” says Dave Pope, Springfield’s general manager.

“When the students arrive, they are very theoretical, so having the opportunity to experience a working farm is crucial.

“They spend time in the packhouses, nursery, orchards and macadamia cracking facility at Green Farms Nut Company, and they really learn a lot while they are here.

“This is where the employability comes in later, because they get a broad understanding of farming avocados, macadamias and pecans,” says Pope.

Students who show potential are offered a full-time position after they have completed their studies. If there are no positions on the farm, Pope sends their CVs out to the surrounding farms, with an introduction letter.

“We really try to keep them in the area because young people in agriculture are hard to come by. It is important to build up a new community of young farmers.”

Daphney Mufamadi was one of the first students to do her practical at Springfield while completing her diploma in agriculture 20 years ago.

She was employed full-time and has since progressed to farm manager. She also completed a degree in agricultural management over the past few years.