There is not a human on earth that will not have March 2020 etched into their minds. Every person has in some way been affected by the Corona virus pandemic. We look forward to the rainbow after this storm passes.

We had a couple of scares with guests staying with us early in the month, travelling from overseas. Now, with schools closed and guesthouses shut, we have gone from three income sources to one - the farm. Fortunately, we have a permit to continue delivering food services during lock down.

We experienced an increase in sales as people tried to avoid supermarkets and took up home deliveries or began shopping at REKO to get healthier food. It has been amazing to watch the community and creativity of locals pulling together to find workable solutions and support one another.

We have spent most of our first week of lockdown trying to figure out whether REKO can continue or not. After several days, we had enough information to conclude that REKO should be closed during this time. The regulations state that any open-air markets and food markets cannot continue. It is unfortunate as REKO producers provide high quality, healthy, local, ethical foods, and is technically only a collection point but it can easily be perceived as a market in some perspectives. This forces many people to return to supermarkets which has been a hard decision to make. However, many of the producers are able to continue as essential businesses, with home deliveries and gate drops with their produce. With eggs that continue to be laid daily and cows that produce milk every day, there has to be a way to get the product out.

We took some time to appreciate the blessing of having space to walk - to visit animals, collect eggs, check fences, and hike on the mountain.

The farm has continued as normal.

The broilers have continued to grow. With the cold snap, they have to wait in the brooder just a few more days. The drop in temperature at night is just too much right now for their first few days.

The pigs continued to till.

PHOTOS:

Our newest addition piglets
Escape artist pigs coming up the driveway to eat acorns
Lady and piglets exploring the veld
Sunday snooze time

We have been busy harvesting autumn vegetables and planting winter vegetables.

The egg mobile moves are slowing a bit as the grass is taking longer to recover with the days getting shorter. We’ve gone from not enough eggs to drowning in eggs with REKO and restaurants closed but this time has given us the opportunity to be creative and brainstorm the rest of the season.

Despite the piling up of eggs, we have taken a few days to rest - this time is a gift and we should use it for slowing down, reflecting and rejuvenating, especially as we watch the days grow shorter and nature starts winding down for winter rest.

So stay safe, stay home! And subscribe to our mailing list below for details on our weekly deliveries in Nottingham Road, Howick, and Hilton during lock down.