This is how we started
2016, Wynand Gericke, owner and founder of Rosehip Farm, was introduced to rosehip. We did intense research to see if there was a greater demand for Rosehip. Consequently, it was shown that there were many people living in severe poor conditions with the product growing all around them. While buyers for the product were being obtained, subsequently, we grouped communities together in the rural areas and villages.
We gave training on sustainable wild harvesting in the various villages. After which you could see the excitement on the people’s faces. Having had a glimpse of how dignity could be restored to the people, Wynand made the following statement: “You can harvest all the rosehips you can, and Rosehip Farm will buy it from you”. This message was conveyed to all the rural areas, villages and communities and is to date still conveyed to all new rural areas. Villages and communities were trained and signed up to our project, subsequently creating income and upliftment.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
The rosehip season was over, we realized that all the people we uplifted will have no income until the new season begins. As Wynand drove through these areas, he asked what could we do to assist these people? Pondering on this and considering all the options, he remembered the initial days when we first collected the Rosehip. The look on their faces, their posture. The way they came alive when we stopped with the truck to buy and load the products. They were singing and dancing with excitement. That’s when he knew we needed to create more moments like that.
Back to the drawing board.
We did research to determine what other products are available in these areas. The Rosehip season only gave a 4-5 month income cycle. However we needed to extend that’s to the rest of the year.
We did it, we found a few new plants. Helichrysum Odoratissimum (African Imortelle), Pelargonium Sidoides (African Geranium), Artemisia Afra (African Wormwood) and including an exciting new species, Felicia Filifolia.
In conclusion, we currently have over 50 rural Communities and Villages, however our aim is to constantly increase this.
This is our story, our goal and our strategy that works for us and our people.
Our Vision
Our vision is rooted in community development, social upliftment and economic empowerment. We strive to improve the lives of people living in rural areas by diversifying the socio-economic sphere in South Africa and Lesotho by making use of valuable natural resources.
By training and equipping these communities, high quality organic certified products enter our processing plant that enable us to deliver a consistent homogenies product into the marketplace: Europe, USA, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Our Mission
- To increase income generation opportunities that are linked to conservation and social empowerment
- To strengthen skills, capacity and resilience among rural communities
- To develop long-term collaboration with communities that is based on mutual trust and respect
- To reverse deforestation and rehabilitate landscapes in rural areas
- To maintain the highest quality raw material and product base
