Eddie Redelinghuys leads the way in creating a sustainable environment for all
- Corona Farm table grapes planted
Eddie Redelinghuys, the Founder of Reliance Compost is a passionate man. He believes in creating a sustainable environment where all living organisms and beings, both above and below the ground, can flourish and feed populations of the future. And this is where his passion flows from … taking care of our soils.
To this end, he has initiated a historic soil improvement program that is currently underway just outside of Cape Town, in the picturesque vineyards and mountains of the Paarl region. It is a critical part of the Corona Farm development, a joint venture between Reliance Compost and the Corona Family Trust to address major concerns affecting the surrounding farmland. The ultimate objectives are to build an Organic Waste Recycling facility and an Agricultural Division, however the priority is to rehabilitate and restore the soil to its former glory.
For the past 16 years, Reliance Compost has been changing the views and methodologies in working with organic waste and has through its service to the City of Cape Town over the last 12 years, saved over 13 million cubic meters of landfill space through the composting of garden refuse. The construction of the facility at Corona Farm will process organic waste from the City as well as private sources to generate energy and compost.
Current activities on the farm property includes, livestock grazing and the cultivation of vineyards. On selected areas of the farm the soils have been augmented with organic compost. Several other areas on the farm are in different stages of the soil augmentation process. The improvement of the soils is ongoing.
Over 400 hectares of depleted soil is currently being rehabilitated after decades of mining, sand and gravel. The first phase of the Corona project yielded 14 hectares of table grapes planted and more than 50 new jobs created, something Eddie is incredibly proud of. Another 50- 80 Ha will be planted to citrus, vines and olives this year, and as much is planned for 2016. A large scale plant and tree nursery on the farm is already growing over 30 000 plants to fulfill the replanting program. Apart from the production there will be a winery, brewery and distillery on the farm. The first wines are being bottled as we speak.
Another notable outcome of the Corona Farm project is the redistribution of agricultural land to new young farmers who otherwise would not have been able to live their dreams. Each individual will be mentored for up to five years until they show success at farming their unit before the title deeds are handed over.
Eddie is a firm believer that living soils, alive with microbial activity and rich in organic matter, can feed plants that can in turn feed people and animals. He added that much of the organic waste being landfilled could also supply energy to be used as fuel. He has dedicated 2015 at Reliance Compost to replenish and rehabilitate the soils in and around the Cape through the different initiatives and projects they are involved in and has invited local communities to join the compost challenge for the future of our environment.
Submitted by Eddie Redelinghuys
- Corona Farm soil rehabilitation in process
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