1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Bultfontein, Free State. We farm with maize, sunflowers, soybeans, wheat, pecan nuts, cattle and sheep. It’s a family farm and I’m responsible for the maize, sunflowers, soybeans and wheat producion.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I heard about the Grain Academy from a friend that attended one of the first courses and he highly recommended it.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I’m hoping to gain knowledge on management and leadership skills to implement into our company to help it grow in the right direction.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Golf and flying.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Montagu and Robertson. I farm with almonds and process the almonds further.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I wanted to improve my leadership skills and I believe we need to improve our business skills for a better future in agriculture.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

To build relationships with upcoming farmers and to equip myself with the skills needed to improve our business.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Mountain biking, golfing and off-road racing.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am an Agricultural Officer at Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality. I work with local emerging farmers that farm with maize, soybeans and dry beans.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

During my school years we covered crops, but I majored in animal production in my final year. This will be an opportunity for me to gain more knowledge and be able to help grain farmers in the area.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I am hoping to learn more about grain crops and also learn more about the business side of farming.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I love reading books and hiking.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am currently farming on a leased farm in the Northern Cape Province, 250km west of Kimberley. I farm with beef cattle, Dorper sheep, Boer goats and crops. In the year 2018 I plan to diversify with vegetable production, starting with peppers in August, followed by Swiss chard.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

The Grain Academy offers a unique opportunity to young farmers to hone their leadership skills. I have always been on the lookout for a tailor-made course, which is geared to instill the art of leading specifically at farm or agricultural level.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I expect to gain insight on leadership at farm level and how to embrace change in the agricultural sector. I also expect to acquire a set of skills on strategic thinking and giving direction specifically in the agricultural sector.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy mountain biking, fishing and reading.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am a Farm Manager for Eulogeo Boerdery, Rusplaas, situated between Wesselsbron and Bothaville. The farm belongs to Nico Maree. On Rusplaas we plant maize, wheat, ground nuts, soya beans and sunflower, which I am responsible for. Then there is different divarication situated in Parys: livestock and a game farm. I had the opportunity to buy my own farm, Blyvooruitsig (situated close to Wesselsbron) which I am planting, maize, ground nuts and sunflower on. I am also renting a piece of land where I plant maize and sunflower.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I see this as a great opportunity to study and learn new skills of leadership and self-confidence.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I want to grow as a farmer and be taught new skills which will help me do a better job as manager and help me with all the new challenges we’re facing.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

My hobbies and interests include horseback riding (endurance riding), reading, sport and spending time with family.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm in Edenville, in the Northern Free State. My operation is a mixed farming business consisting of maize and sunflower production as well as Beefmaster cattle and Merino Sheep.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

To keep being relevant and growing your business in the current economic and political climate, the access to information and networks are critical – I believe that the Grain Academy creates the ideal platform.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

Skills and tools that will assist me to make better decisions.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Gholf, fly fishing and research about local and international farming practices.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Currently I am not farming as I am planning to do my Masters in the beginning of next year. I however have experience in growing maize and potatoes. I also did some market gardening with lettuce and onions – I supplied  the produce to restaurants and supermarkets.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I am always keen to learn more as the agricultural field is broad with a lot to learn. I hope to apply everything I have learnt fully.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to get a deeper understanding of agribusiness and hopefully apply the knowledge when I further my education and resume my farming endeavors.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy reading research articles on agriculture, playing tennis and watching movies.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

The Schoeman Group consists of the following:
– Maize, soyabean and small white beans in the Delmas area
– Citrus in the Groblersdal, Marble Hall area
– Grain handling in the Delmas Area
– Fertilizer business in 5 Provinces
I’m the Group Commercial Manager looking after all intergroup synergies and new business development. I also sit on the board of Directors.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

It comes highly recommended by previous graduates.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to be challenged by different ideas and viewpoints, and also to be better equipped to make a positive contribution to the future of Agriculture in SA.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy participating in sport, cooking and making music.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

My father and I farm mainly with maize and cattle in the district of Potchefstroom in the North West Province.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I am the fourth generation on our farm and in order for me to succeed in ensuring that it continues for generations to come, I feel the need to equip myself with various skills for a changing agricultural sector.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

To gain important management and leadership skills, on a personal and  professional level, that I can use strategically to grow our business effectively and ensure it’s profitability.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy hunting, sport shooting and spending time with my family.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm with table grapes near De Doorns. I am an Assistant Manager on the farm and my duties include managerial tasks and making sure things are done correctly.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I applied to the Grain Academy to get more experience about leadership and to grow as person in the agriculture environment.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I am hoping to improve my leadership skills and to learn as much as I can.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy mountain biking and outdoor activities.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I’m part of the COFCO International farming team. I’m the Field Manager in the Eastern Free State and farm with maize, soybeans, sunflower and wheat.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

Some of my team members that has completed the course nominated me. It seems like the course benefitted them a lot.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I like developing my skills and knowledge in my field and everyday life. I hope this course can help with that.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Mountain hiking, outdoor life and nature and spending time with my family.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am farming in Wepener, South Free State on a farm called Wilgedraai.  We are a co-operative farm, working with mixed farming, mainly cattles (Bonsmaras and Ngunis), crop (maize, sunflower and lucern), we’re also about to start a feed mill on our farm.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

To learn more about grain/ crops in terms of which season is best for planting, type of soil to plant on, how to prepare the soil, types of grain/ crop and all the different type of fertilizers to use.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

To gain a good understanding of the different types of grain/ crop. I’ll be planting in my region and I want to learn about the problems I might encounter. With all this experience I’ll be able to help some up and coming farmers and some neighbouring farmers.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Reading, swimming and watching movies.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Hertzogville, Boshof district. We have a mixed farm that consists of seeding, game farming, cattle farming and sheep farming. I have a transport and speculation business that does contract work with Beefmaster and Suidwes. Further, I am a buyer for Beefmaster in the Free State and Northern Cape district.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I would like to develop myself, expand my knowledge and become a successful person, farmer and business man.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to gain knowledge, experience and contracts.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

My hobbies are hunting and riding motorcycle.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

We farm in Parys with dairy, beef, maize and soya. The core of the business is dairy processing.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I entered Grain academy after following it last year and seeing the great course material that the candidates were challenged with in 2017.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I enjoy being exposed to new information and gaining knowledge that can better our businesses.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Off-road racing, adventure riding, hunting and shooting.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am a Sales Manager for Syngenta in the Southern region.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

Over the last few years with Syngenta’s involvement with the Grain Academy I have heard a lot of good reviews of the course. I wanted to apply as an opportunity for personal growth.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

With the changing climate in the agricultural environment you have to be able to adapt and grow to move forward. I would like to learn valuable skills that could apply to my work environment.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

My hobbies are playing sports like squash and golf. Also spending time with my daughter, friends and family.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm in Ventersburg, Free State Province. My main farming enterprise is breeding Bonsmara weaners, for the auction and feedlot market. I also farm with Pekin Ducks and I plant green mielies (sweet corn ), spinach and yellow maize.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

To gain exposure to established agribusiness practices, personal development and networking.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

To enhance my leadership skills and learn successful farm management strategies.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Reading and travelling.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm in Welkom in Free State. I am a crop farmer in Lukhanyiso.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

To learn more about farming and broaden my knowledge.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

Experience, a broad spectrum of networking, continuous learning and skills development. I want to improve my farming skills so I can help my community.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Playing rugby, hiking and reading.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm in Vryheid, KwaZulu Natal. I farm with white maize, soya beans and Stud bonsmaras.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I applied to the academy to access more technical information regarding the industry.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to get more technical knowledge and learn more about strategic planning and collaboration strategies in the sector.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I am a Volleyball player. I am also an accounting and economic scholar at the University of Zululand.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Agricultural chemical advisor for Nulandis in the Prieska area. Our area consists of maize, wheat, cotton, pecan nuts and vineyards.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I would like to expand my horizons and I see this as a life enriching opportunity with my eye on the possibility of studying further in the future.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

To engage with other young adults and experience others viewpoints while in the process learning more about myself.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Hunting, mountain biking, canoeing and basically any outdoor activities involving adrenaline.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I farm in Cedarville in the Eastern Cape. I produce maize, wheat, dry beans, carrots, cabbage and potatoes.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

Skills development & technical skills improvement on crop production and to further my network of relevant associates in the industry.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

Improved skills and learning of innovative ways on crop production and general best practice in both production and management.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Outdoors (more so the beach) & F1 racing fanatic.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

Riviersonderend, Western Cape. We farm with wheat, barley, canola and Merino sheep.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I saw this as an excellent opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge and leadership skills.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I’m hoping to grow personally and professionally by bettering my leadership and problem-solving skills and then to apply these skills and knowledge in everyday situations arising in an ever-changing industry.

Brand Pretorius said: ” Before you can lead others, you must be able to lead yourself.”

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

Some include hunting & range shooting, spending time with friends and family, cooking, reading and even brewing my own beer from time to time.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I live and farm at Salt Lake, near Douglas in the Northern Cape.

My wife and I farm with cattle and game. We also manage Witfontein Game Lodge and run a river rafting company.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I applied to the Grain Academy because I think it is a huge opportunity to learn more about business and leadership in the agricultural sector. I also think it is a great opportunity to grow personally.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to gain a greater insight into businesses and to develop my leadership skills so that I can make a meaningful contribution to our economy and successfully take our family businesses, which have been build up over many generations, forward.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I love being in nature. I really enjoy outdoor actives and adventures like, mountain biking and river rafting. People and new horizons excite me. I am an avid traveller and don’t need an excuse to see the world with my wife.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am farming in Guba Farms under Indwe/Lady Frere in Chris Hani, Emalahleni. I am currently farming with yellow maize, sorghum and Camborough pigs.

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I applied to the Academy in pursuit of growing my knowledge and skills further with regards to finance and production standards from small-scale to commercial level to run a profitable and sustainable farming enterprise.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

With this opportunity, I hope to learn a lot on the principles of agribusiness, the markets, access to – and management of – finance and thus enhancing sustainable production and contributing towards the country’s GDP in the agricultural sector.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

In all honesty, my hobby/interest is investing in my farming activities and making sure that I produce good quality products in striving to grow the enterprise. I am also part of the Grain SA/Jobs Fund Farmer Development Program, as a Mentor under the Mthatha office. Touching base with the rural community through helping them better their grain production skills has been the highlight of my 2017 cropping season.

1. Where do you farm and with what? (If you are part of an agribusiness, please explain your role)

I am a member of Vrichfontein Boerdery BK alongside my father where we mainly farm with maize, soya and sunflowers. I am responsible for all the sow and my father for the livestock. I am also responsible for managing the marketing of our grain commodities and all the pricing.

The farm is situated near Arlington in the Eastern Free State (about 40km west of Bethlehem).

2. Why did you apply to the Grain Academy?

I would like to broaden my knowledge of the grain market as well as gain a better understanding of it. I also want to learn certain leadership methods and apply it in my own business.

3. What are you hoping to get from this experience?

I hope to better manage my farming business after attending this course.

4. What are your hobbies / interests?

I enjoy cycling as well as gymming in my free time, although there is not a lot of free time with livestock farming.

Sosie Matla will be attending our 2017 Syngenta Grain Academy.
She is a farmer from Reitz in the Eastern Free State. She mainly works with summer crops, but also started farming with wheat in 2016.
Although she is not from a traditional agricultural background, she is a economist working in the agricultural sector. She believes that the Grain Academy programme will be able to expand her technical knowledge on crops.
Sosie enjoys reading, the outdoors, travelling, swimming and doing research.

The Grain Academy Class of 2017 includes a young farmer from Bultfontein in the Free State.

Barend Bornman farms mostly with maize and wheat, by making use of a crop rotation system. He recently graduated from the University of the Free State with a BSc.Agric in Agronomy and Agricultural Economy.

At the Grain Academy, Barend hopes to learn even more about the farming environment and is excited to take on this challenge.

Our Syngenta Grain Academy participants have recently been announced and now it’s time to Meet the Farmer.

Tommie Olckers is the production manager at Schoeman Boerdery in Delmas. He is the fifth generation Olckers working on a farm.

Tommie is responsible for 5500ha of yellow maize, 3500ha of soy beans and 1000 ha of white edible beans. His hobbies include camping, hunting and farming. Tommie is married and the father of two boys and a girl.

A young lady from Vryburg, North West, will be joining the Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017.

Tuduetso Mogotlong mainly farms with maize, ground nuts, sunflower, legumes and lucern. She holds a B.Comm from the University of the Free State, as well as a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the University of Johannesburg.

She hopes that the Grain Academy will help her to adopt new smart farming techniques to be an efficient environmentally friendly farmer.

Syngenta’s Grain Academy welcomes Solomon Tshongweni to the Class of 2017. Solomon hails from Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. He is mainly involved with grain farmers as an agricultural advisor.

Solomon’s hope is to broaden his thinking through the Grain Academy experience and to plough all he learnt back into his community.

Meet the Farmer for the Syngenta Grain Academy 2017 event.

Luwane Maqala hails from Harrismith, Free State. He mainly farms with maize, dry beans and wheat. Luwane has a B.Agric degree from the University of the Free State and farms on a daily basis. His hobbies include read and browsing the internet on farming-related topics.

Luwane hopes to improve the standard of his farming through the Grain Academy. He hopes to improve the quality and quantity of his crop production.

Meet the Farmer of the Syngenta Grain Academy, Class of 2017.

Mhlobo Mbane farms in Alice, Eastern Cape. He is a maize farmer and would like to participate in the Grain Academy to keep abreast of new developments and new technologies.

Mhlobo’s family are avid farmers and he learnt everything that he knows about farming from them.

Participants of the Syngenta Grain Academy include a farmer from Bochum in Limpopo, Dominic Nkoana.

Dominic is a hardworking, independent, humble and caring farmer from the Limpopo district. Upon choosing a career path in agriculture, he went on to study the basics of crop production at the University of Limpopo.

He enjoys walking in the bush and appreciating nature. He also offers mathematic lessons to high school learners in his spare time.

The Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017 welcomes Wessel van Dyk.

Wessel farms in Napier, Western Cape. He mainly farms with wheat, barley, canola, oats and lucern. His hobbies include mountain biking and going to the beach.

He hopes to better his leadership qualities, through the Grain Academy, to be able to invest in agriculture even further.

We are announcing the Grain Academy Class of 2017. A warm welcome to Samson Tauzeni from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

Samson manages a grain farming operation in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. Before Samson came to South Africa, he farmed in Zimbabwe for 13 years.

His hobbies include watching rugby and cricket, organic gardening and touring.

Thinus du Plessis, a farmer from Lichtenburg in the North West, has been accepted as part of the Grain Academy Class of 2017.

Thinus mainly farms with maize and sunflower. He is the father of two boys and his hobbies include camping, hunting, riding, spending time with family and friends.

Joining the Grain Academy, Thinus hopes to improve his people and improve his managerial skills.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes Shane Buchanan to the Class of 2017!

Shane farms mainly with maize and soya beans as part of the summer growing season and wheat as part of the winter growing season – all part of the crop rotation program.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes Shane Buchanan to the Class of 2017!

Shane farms mainly with maize and soya beans as part of the summer growing season and wheat as part of the winter growing season – all part of the crop rotation program.

Petru Fourie joins the Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017.

Petru is passionate about agriculture and she has been working for Grain SA since 2008. She holds the position of research coordinator and economist.

Petru studied at the University of the Free State, graduating with a Master’s degree in agricultural economy. Her hobbies include sports and being active, as well as reading and the outdoors.

Preline Julius Swart joins the Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017.

Preline farms in Bredasdorp, close to her hometown Elim. The major crops that Preline farms with include wheat, barley, tricole and oats.

Preline loves her family and is mother to two kids, four stepchildren and three grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, singing and seeing new places. She is also very fond of laughing and motivating people.

The Syngenta Grain Academy is proud to welcome Jozua Du Plessis to the Class of 2017.

Jozua farms in Delmas, Mpumalanga. The Du Plessis family farm mainly plants maize, soyabeans and potatoes.

When Jozua is not busy on the farm, he enjoys flying, riding his motorcycle, fishing and spending time with this family. He is father to two beautiful girls, with a third addition to the family on the way.

We are proud to welcome Brenda Sas Tlhabane to the Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017.

Brenda farms in Bela-Bela, LImpopo, with sunflower and maize. She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and making a difference in the agricultural sector.

Brenda hopes that this programme will help her manage her farm better. She also wants use the knowledge gained from the programme to empower women and youth.

Ruan Lange, an avid farmer from Ermelo in Mpumalanga, will be joining the Syngenta Grain Academy Class of 2017.

He is an versatile, ambitious and resourceful farmer with 3 years of experience in the corporate farming industry. Ruan obtained a Bachelor degree in Agriculture from the University of the Free State. His interests include fishing, hunting, travelling and golf.

By participating in the Grain Academy, he hopes to enhance his leadership skills and contribute to the long-term success of agriculture as a whole.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes to the Class of 2017, Alfreda Mars from Tulbagh in the Western Cape.

She farms on a 260ha farm with mainly wheat and oats. Alfreda is a mother who loves cooking, reading and gardening.

She believes that it is very important to continuously be part of training and skills development, therefore she is looking forward to the Grain Academy.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes Steven Matthews from Lichtenburg in the North West.

Steven is a farmer and stud auctioneer. His family farm has both a cropping and livestock division. Steven is passionate about immersing himself in agriculture and his hobbies include carpentry and traveling.

Steven believes that the Grain Academy will give him an opportunity to develop himself as an individual and as a farmer. He hopes that this program will challenge him to look at his farming operations differently and in so doing help him identify areas where he can improve.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes CP Scheepers to the Class of 2017.

Farming in Bothaville, Free State, CP farms with maize, sunflower and a little bit of pumpkin. He loves farming and describes it as both a career and a hobby. He is also an avid golfer.

CP joins the Grain Academy in the hope of learning even more about the agricultural sector. Furthermore, he would also like to improve his leadership skills. He believes that his generation will be the leaders of tomorrow.

The Syngenta Grain Academy welcomes Ronald Niksch to the Class of 2017.

Farming in Bothaville, Free State, Ronald farms with maize, sunflower, ground nuts and wheat. He loves farming and farms with his father and grandfather.

Ronald joins the Grain Academy in the hope of learning even more about the agricultural sector. Furthermore, he would also like to improve his leadership skills.