MEERLANDSVLEI | VALUE ADDITION
OWNERS: Herman Rossouw and family
AREA: Eendekuil, Western Cape, South Africa
SUMMARY: A diversified family farming operation where winter grains, rooibos tea, sheep, cattle and indigenous herbs combine to create different income streams. The family has a strong focus on adding value and retaining control over its own products, with rooibos tea and cancer bush dried and processed on the farm, while Zithande Herbs produces and markets a range of locally grown herbal products.
Today, Herman, Herma and Willie each play an important role in the farming operation. Herman is mainly involved with rooibos tea, sheep and cattle, Herma is the driving force behind Zithande Herbs, while Willie is closely involved in rooibos production and the farm’ s other activities. Among other things, Herma manages the harvesting, drying, processing and packaging of cancer bush and other indigenous herbs such as buchu, wild wormwood and wild olive. Together with rooibos, these crops form part of a range of products processed and marketed on the farm.
DIFFERENT INCOME STREAMS
Meerlandsvlei is a typical winter grain farm where wheat, canola, oats, lupins and barley are grown. This is supported by a substantial flock of Dohne Merino sheep and a herd of beef cattle which, together with the health products, ensure a range of income streams throughout the year.