WHY WE SOW THE SEEDS OF HOPE
OUR STORY STARTS HERE
In 2018, we went on an outreach mission with CU Nelspruit to Malawi. We were shocked by the poverty we saw there in the communities. Although people had land and access to water, they were extremely poor because of failed crops and lack of knowledge.
We wanted to start a campaign where we could get some willing farmers to come and help them. Someone then told us that Foundations for Farming could be a way to help them. When we came home, we started doing research on Foundations for Farming and discovered that this is the best way to help the poor with only a hoe in the hand and what God is providing in nature. People can grow healthy crops for their families to eat, but also to sell and become self-sustainable. This method can bring people out of poverty to give them dignity and self-worth and bring them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We knew that this was something God called us to do for the poor! We then went for In-depth training in Harare Zimbabwe and started looking for a place to buy where we could set up a training centre and this is where our story with Foundations for Farming started.
WHAT WE VALUE
We demonstrate our values through showing love and acceptance to everyone, regardless of race, culture, or preference.
We teach people to use what they have, even if they think they have nothing (See Biblical example of the widow and the oil).
ON
TIME
Seasons are vital in farming and business; we do the right thing at the right time in the right timeframe.
AT STANDARD
God’s standard is excellence. High quality of work and the yield on that work ensures sustainability.
MINIMUM WASTAGE
Good stewardship of our own resources,
as well as that entrusted to us by others, is not negotiable.
WITH
JOY
We have joy in respecting a diversity of people and communicate effectively to build relationships and to multiply the harvest.
Meet Our Team!
We go the extra mile to ensure that all our trainees feel at home. Our team of staff welcomes you at Foundations for Farming,
Rehoboth Training Centre.
Johan Grobler
Owner of Rehoboth and Training centre
Frieda Grobler
Co-Owner of Rehoboth and Training centre
Zethu
Foundations for Farming trainer and educator
Goodman
Foundations for Farming Spiritual leader & trainer
Nokuthula
Sheff and accommodation supervisor
Petros
Foundations for Farming practical supervisor
Vusi
Rehoboth general staff member
Jack
Rehoboth general staff member
Manuel
Rehoboth general staff member
Neusia
Kitchen and domestic worker
FOUNDATIONS FOR FARMING
ZIMBABWE'S STATION
Foundations for Farming started in 1982 when the farm which Brian Oldreive was managing in the north of Zimbabwe was nearing bankruptcy. Brian asked God for help and his prayer was answered one day when he realized that in natural creation there is no deep soil inversion and that a thick ‘blanket’ of fallen leaves and grass covers the surface of the soil. He started experimenting with Conservation Agriculture (CA). The results were outstanding and soon only minimum tillage was used at the farm.
After the first successful experiments, Brian saw the huge potential that these methods had for small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe and he started teaching CA in the village close to him. Unfortunately the beneficiaries were met by jealousy and sorcery by other members of their community. It became clear to Brian that teaching farming methods by itself was not enough. So he partnered with churches so he could use both the community and the beliefs of the churches to foster transformation.
The Foundations for Farming methodology was first recognized and adopted at scale by the Zambian Government in 2002 with funding from the World Bank. In 2004 Zambia became a grain exporter for the first time in that nation’s history.
In 2009, FfF partnered for the first time with the FAO to teach agricultural methods which allow self-sustainability to thousands of farmers in Zimbabwe. Since then, FfF has implemented numerous projects in Zimbabwe working together with the FAO, WFP, UNICEF, USAID and others.
In 2011 FfF moved their offices from the River of Life church to the Resthaven retreat center. From there they moved to Clouds End (a former stable and racecourse) in 2013. Clouds End is our facility for on-site training inclucing our model farm for research and demonstration.
The Zimbabwean government formed a partnership with FfF in 2020 to equip 1.8 million farmers in Zimbabwe to implement the FfF method of CA popularly known as Pfumvudza ( “New Season” in Shona) FfF received a Presidential Commendation from the Zimbabwean President in 2021 for bringing food security to Zimbabwe during the 2020/21 season.
The FfF now has country offices and training stations in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, The Netherlands, UK, Canada, USA, Mexico and India.