Last week I discussed in greater depth what fairtrade is. This week I would like to share with you this testimonial with you by the Bosman family projects that they are involved in.

Part of the Bosman Family’s philosophy regarding the growing and nursing of exceptional
plant material in their successful vine nursery, Lelienfontein, and the making of premium
wines in their exclusive 250 year old cellar at Lelienfontein in Wellington, is their belief that
good wines are made by respecting the delicate relationship between man and nature.
Following a holistic approach to farming, they believe that a healthy environment with healthy
soils should give you healthy vineyards. In the same manner an emotionally, physically and
spiritually healthy human being should possess a sound work ethic.
For decades, the Bosman Family has consistently worked at farming with sustainable farming
methods and the holistic upliftment of the families working on their farms. If you ask people in the
Wellington region about the Bosmans, the first impression that characteristically comes to the fore
is always: “They really look well after their people that work for them.”
Here are some of the initiatives that Bosman Farming is actively busy with in order to build respect
and a sustainable relationship between man and nature:

Fairtrade
Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington are Fairtrade accredited, which means
that they are annually externally audited to a clear set of minimum progressive
criteria that insures they farm in economic sustainable and environmentally and
socially responsible manner.

Sustainable Farming Methods
Every year our vineyards and estate is farmed on a more sustainable way. All our
by-products are used in our own compost heaps and re-used in the vineyards.
Managing our soil and protecting it from erosion forms a major part of sustainable
wine growing: first to get our soils alive with effective microbes, let it rest
sufficiently and then protecting it from shorter and heavier winter rains every
season.

Spekboom Initiative
The indigenous Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) tree has some the highest carbon
sequestration capabilities because it has the ability to photosynthesize both
during the day and the night. Our established spekboom plantation and nursery is
an innovative way of contributing to the reduction of the world’s carbon footprint.
Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI)
We are members of BWI which means we will protect the biodiversity in and
around our vineyards, especially our indigenous Fynbos of the Cape Floral
Kingdom. We are in the process of applying for champion status in the
Biodiversity Wine Initiative.

BEE
One of the first farm workers committees was established in 1994. This farm
workers committee later formed the Adama Apollo Trust and in 2008, 260 farm
workers became beneficiaries of this trust, receiving a 30% share in all the
vineyards of Bosman Farming and in the Bosman Family Vineyards cellar. This is
the biggest (430ha of prime vineyard land) land reform transaction of its kind to
date in the Western Cape. For each Bosman generation that have been involved at
Lelienfontein, there has also been an Appollis generation (Adam Appollis is the
ancestor of most of the workers living and working on the farm). This BEE shareholding celebrates
a partnership of generations with wonderful possibilities.
De Rust Day Care Centre (Crèche)
The De Rust Daycare Centre (Crèche) was started to assist parents working for
Bosman Farming in the nourishment and care of their children. Magdalene de
Lilly, one of the farm workers, received training to operate a crèche and to care for
the needs of the children. About 20 children are involved in the crèche and
activities that they participate in include excursions, a grade ceremony and talent
concerts.

Bosman Farming Karate Club
The children of farm workers would have too much free time during holidays and
they would be prone to getting up to much mischief. This gave rise to the idea of
establishing a karate club where children can participate in a positive activity.
Karate is a sport with good discipline and strict supervision. The karate club is
associated with the Hiyisha karate club. The group started with 10 children and
has grown to 15. In the first year, 6 children were awarded provincial colors and
competed in Durban at the South African National Championships.
Chinene October – winner of her category for 3 consecutive years.
Caydon Lewis – obtained national colors in karate (under 14 age group).

Frank Pietersen Music School
Youth of the parents of Bosman Farming that show an interest in music are
involved at the Frank Pietersen Music School (since 2008). The goal of Bosman
Farming is to establish their own symphony orchestra on Lelienfontein. They
currently have 62 members involved and instruments range from violin, cello,
drums and marimba.
Mariska November received 80% for her exam on the recorder (blokfluit) in 2008.
Bosman Farming also has a Steel Band that does very well. In their first year of existence, they were
elected as the best Steel Band at a local music competition.

Bosman Farming Youth
This group started with 16 members and has grown to approximately 34
members (Age group: 12-20 years). This group exists to create positive
alternative activities for youth to participate in, instead of getting involved with
negative activities, such as drug misuse.
Youth leaders were chosen and each leader gets allocated a group of young people.
The ‘leader’ sets a good example and teaches the others to be responsible and
follow his lead. Bosman Farming Youth focuses on creating HIV & TB awareness among the youth
members and they go on excursions, camps, music evenings and interact with other youth groups
on nearby farms.
The older boys in the Youth Group are also involved with the Bosman Farming Neighborhood
Watch.

Bosman Farming Neighborhood Watch
Bosman Farming Neighborhood Watch started as a result of crime on the farms of
the district. The farm workers decided to join hands with the South African Police
Forum and they received training to establish their own community watch system
that will serve the farms in the area, especially over weekends.
The members of the Bosman Farming Neighborhood Watch each man their own
mobile police unit and were also issued with bicycles by the South African Police.
Since 2008, crime has decrease by 24% on the farms.

Bosman Farming Woman Club
Bosman Farming Woman Club was established to empower woman and help in
the personal development of woman involved on the farms. Special focus is given
to skills development and entrepreneurial development. The activities that they
are involved with vary from cooking, sowing, flower arranging and decoupage.

Bosman Farming Elderly
The goal of this group (age group: 60+) is the care and housing of retired workers
of Bosman Farming. Adama, a retirement home for the elderly, was built for this
goal in Wellington in 2004. Workers that reach retirement age can voluntary
retire at this establishment, which is associated to the Service Care Centre of
Wellington.
The elderly are kept busy with various activities and excursions, receive
treatments and even have their own social club named “The Sunshine Seniors.”
Bosman Farming Library
A dedicated library was established and equipped on the farm to ensure that
literature is available and accessible to all farm workers and their families.

“Lillies” Sport Club
The “Lillies” (derived from the farm name, Lelienfontein) Sport Club was started to
involve families in extracurricular activities, especially over weekends. The Club
consists mainly of rugby and netball players and they do very well in the league
competitions.

Accommodation
Most of the 260 permanent workers of Bosman Farming are also living on the
farms and part of the social commitment of Bosman Farming toward their
employees is to provide them with accommodation equipped with working and
safe electricity, running palatable water, working sewerage systems, transport to
and from work, medical facilities & schools.

Bosman Farming Training
This exists to provide quality training to employees of Bosman Farming.
Currently, 80% of all workers involved at Bosman Farming receive training on a
monthly basis. Training is done in a purpose built training centre on the farm.
The slogan on Bosman Farming is: “Informed people make wise decisions” and as a
result the training personnel focus on the followings aspects:
Financial management
Marketing
Labor Law
Health & Safety
Leadership characteristics
Pruning course
Forklift operator course
Spray pump operator course
Digger Loader operator course
Caretaker course
Supervisor course
Fire extinguishing course
First Aid course
Pre-school Training course
Bursaries
Secondary school pupils that show great potential and do not have the means for
further studies at tertiary education institution, can apply for bursaries.
Successful candidates currently completing their courses are:
Jasmain Hendricks (Secretarial)
Monica Hartniek (Secretarial)
Nadia Morkel (Hospitality)
Jenine Goose (Marketing)
These students get the opportunity to gain experience in their field at the offices of Bosman Farming
during the duration of their course and assistance is given to find suitable employment at the end of
their studies.

The Bosman Farming story continues to be written. When working with people,
not all is perfect and challenges do occur from time to time. However, those
challenges also provide opportunities to create better solutions and Bosman
Farming continues to strive toward being an environmentally and social
responsible producer of excellent vines in their Lelienfontein vine nursery and
premium wines at Bosman Family Vineyards.

As some of you may know we now sell fairtrade wine, coffee and tea on our website.

Today I thought that I would go more in depth as to what fairtrade is.

1) Growing without the help of harmful chemicals
– FAIRTRADE encourages sustainable production, initiating a long-term approach to environmental protection.
2) Labour standards
– FAIRTRADE certification makes sure that farms comply with the highest labour standards (e.g. freedom of association,
no forced or child labour,non-discrimination).
3) Handled and traded fairly
– FAIRTRADE audits farms and traders annually in order to ensure that the whole supply chain complies with the standards.
4) Fair price
– FAIRTRADE guarantees that producers are getting a fair price that reflects the costs of sustainable production.
5) Giving back to communities
– for every FAIRTRADE sale, small farmers and farm workers receive a FAIRTRADE Social Premium that they can invest in projects
benefitting the greater community.

Fairtrade