We have been running an organic in transition apple and pear farm since May 2022. We have had an inspection for our organic certification with Ceres and hopefully we will get second year in conversion as our fruit trees haven't been sprayed for 18 months.

We make 100% of our own compost, with the old apples, grasses as well as the manure from our micro dairy cattle our compost is made using the biodynamic preparations.

We choose to deliver in black crates, without any packaging (if possible). The crates are then off loaded and returned. Once we start packaging in smaller quantities, we will use fully compostable packaging.

Supplier Vetting Questions

Is the majority of your produce made from or grown in South Africa?
Yes, all our produce comes directly from our farm.
Is part of the explicit intention of the business to uplift socially and/or economically disempowered individuals and communities? If so, we’d love to know more.
We are in our first few months of farming, however this is defintely our intention to incororate our staff members into the business, developing a more social and economical sustainable solution.
Do you have any special provisions in place that focus on your worker’s health and well-being?
Is part/all of the business woman or non-binary owned?
Part of the business is women owned as we are a family business, with myself the youngest daughter running my own micro dairy as well as my parents who mange the rest of the farm.
Is part/all of the business black owned?
No.
Is part or all of the business owned by its employees?
No.
Are your products packaged using a material that is biodegradable in a home-compostable environment?
We choose to deliver in black crates, without any packaging. The crates are then off loaded and returned. Once we start packaging in smaller quantities, we will use fully compostable packaging.
Are your products packaged in 100% locally recyclable packaging?
Yes, we will do so once we package smaller quantities.
Are your products made using a material that is biodegradable in water?
N/A
What measures have been taken to reduce packaging?
We avoid individual and prefer to sell in bulk crates.
Do you take back packaging for reuse (egg boxes, plastic or glass containers etc.)?
N/A
Do you offer a monetary incentive for returned packaging (return deposit)
N/A
Do you use preservatives or additives e.g. synthetic chemicals in your product/production process?
No.
Can you provide a list of ingredients and allergens (dairy, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans) for each product?
N/A
Are all your products made or grown by you? If not please specify by whom they are made.
Yes they are all grown by us.
Do you use no-till practices e.g. Leaving the root systems of your crops or vegetables in the soil once you have harvested?
Yes we do.
Do you use minimum till practices?
Yes we do.
If crops aren’t perennial, do you practice crop rotation? How often?
N/A
Do you use cover crops, mulch, tarpaulin, or compost to protect your soil?
Yes, we make our own compost with the old apples, grasses as well as the manure from our micro dairy cattle our compost is made using the biodynamic preparations.
How else do you protect your soil
We cover all exposed soil with ground cover, preventing evaporation and the hardening of the soil.
Do you ever leave a field fallow or a vegetable patch empty for a period?
Yes.
What % (if any) of your compost do you make on site?
We make 100% of our own compost.
Do you use animal manure on your crops?
Yes we do, from our own cows which eat grass as well as from our wormery.
Do you integrate animals with crops?
Yes, the first leaves arrive we take the cows out the orchard. So during the autumn and winter months our cows graze under the fruit trees.
Are your crops GM free?
Yes.
Do you use synthetic chemicals on your farm for herbicides or pesticides?
NO.
Do you use glyphosate on your farm? If so, how often?
No.
What kind of fertilisers do you use?
We use only organic inputs as well as the biodynamic preparations.
How do you manage predator control?
Currently we haven't had any problem with predators
Are you PGS/Organic certified?
We have had an inspection for our organic certification with Ceres and hopefully we will get second year in conversion. As our fruit trees haven't been sprayed for 18 months. We have been on the farm since May 2022.

Vergesig Farm