» Who We Are

Flower Valley Farm is a fynbos conservation centre. In fact, Flower Valley is at the heart of sustainable fynbos harvesting: we aim to conserve the endangered fynbos, while seeking to ensure the plants are picked sustainably. In so doing, we’re not only protecting species that are found nowhere else in the world, we’re also trying to protect those livelihoods dependent on the harvesting industry.

Flower Valley Farm situated near Gansbaai is run by the Flower Valley Conservation Trust – a public benefit organisation. Our operations are run from the farm itself – a beautiful fynbos sanctuary nestled in the Overstrand mountains.

So what happens on the farm?

Flower Valley’s commercial partner, Fynsa, based in nearby Stanford, uses fynbos picked on Flower Valley and surrounding farms for its fynbos bouquets. These bouquets are arranged and packaged by local people – mostly women – from rural communities in the area where the jobless rate is particularly high. The beautiful bouquets are then shipped off to top retailers – including Marks & Spencer in the UK and Pick n Pay locally.

What makes these bouquets extra special is that they comply with the code of best practice. The ethical consumer knows that when he or she buys a bouquet with the Flower Valley programme, the fynbos wasn’t overpicked and the veld wasn’t damaged in the process. Also, the health and safety of the employees remains paramount. Regular independent ethical audits are carried out on Flower Valley and on the other certified suppliers to Fynsa. We also ensure our employees are treated with respect, and are offered continuous training and opportunities for personal development.

The farm offers a safe learning environment for youngsters from the area. Through our Early Learning Centre based on the farm, children aged between two and six – most of them from vulnerable communities where they may have been left to fend for themselves – take their first steps in learning. In these wonderful surroundings, the children are offered good nutrition, safety, and an education with a solid environmental theme. When visiting the school, make sure you ask the children to show you their garden. It’s their pride and joy!

Flower Valley Farm is surrounded by unspoilt mountains covered in lowland fynbos – and boasts species found nowhere else in the world. It’s a botanist’s and birder’s heaven – and we’ve tried to keep the farm as untouched as possible. Visitors to the farm can take an unguided hike along paths through the mountains. And don’t worry about fitness levels – there are short walks too.

Then of course we host our Flower Valley Music Festival in the Fynbos every year. Festival-goers are treated to the best local music, with an array of entertaining activities – including horse-riding and tractor trips, with fun events also available for the kids. So if you’re in the area, come and enjoy a day in amongst the rare fynbos with us – for an unforgettable meeting with Flower Valley.

For more information on Flower Valley Farm, contact Marianna Afrikaner on 028 388 0713, or visit our site: www.flowervalley.org.za.