1 June 2020:
Under Level 3 lockdown regulations, the Oranjezicht City Farm is open to the general public. However, visitors will only be permitted under a restrictive health and safety protocol and only if they have specific reasons for needing to enter the farm. Casual, leisure visitors coming solely to enjoy being present on the farm will unfortunately not be permitted at this time.
Visitors: The gate to the farm will remain locked. Visitors will be required to knock on the gate or call out to request access from one of the farmers. Visitors will only be allowed to enter the farm if they are wearing a mask. All visitors requesting access will have their temperature taken with an infrared no-touch thermometer and anyone showing an elevated temperature will not be permitted onto the farm. On being permitted to enter the farm, visitors will be required to sanitise their hands as instructed. Visitors must remain at 2 metres distance from all other people on the farm at all times. A limited number of visitors will be permitted at any one time, and visitors may be instructed to leave the farm or to delay their entrance to the farm in order to maintain a safe number of people on the farm.
Bokashi: Drop-off of bokashi household food waste at the farm will continue 8am-2pm weekdays and 8-11am Saturdays. However, bucket owners will NOT be permitted onto the farm. Bucket owners must wear a mask and maintain a 2m distance at all times. Farmers will take the buckets onto the farm to empty them. Cleaning of buckets will need to be done by the bucket owner at their residence. The full OHSA protocol on bokashi composting is available here.
Farm Produce: The farm will continue to operate as a farm. Pick-your-own sales will be permitted only at the discretion of the farm manager or designated farmer in charge. Produce from the farm will be available for purchase from the OZCF Market and other selected retailers. For information on this, please email market@ozcf.co.za.
School Visits and Tours: All school visits and tours have been postponed until further notice. Each group already booked for a future date has been contacted directly. Any questions regarding bookings should be directed to visit@ozcf.co.za
Workshops: All workshops have been postponed indefinitely. Questions about workshops should be directed to admin@ozcf.co.za.
Allotments: Allotment holders are able to access the farm and work their allotment during normal farm operating hours, and we encourage them to use this time to work with their hands in the soil tending their allotment. All allotment workshops and other events are postponed until further notice. All allotment holders are required to follow the OHSA protocol that they have received.
Farmers: Our farmers will continue to be paid as usual during this period, and should further steps to close down the farm be required in future we will ensure their pay is sustained. Our farmers are supported in travelling to and from work as safely as possible. We will not require any farmer to increase their risk in order to work.
For further updates should the situation change, please check our website, ozcf.co.za, and our social media channels: facebook.com/OZCFarm and instagram.com/OZCFarm
We are grateful for the support of the community during these difficult times and are committed to being a responsible and helpful community member ourselves. We encourage all to be kind, patient and understanding, and to take some time to re-connect with nature. The season of this pandemic will, in time, pass, and may we each commit to come through it a better person than when it all began.
With thanks from the soles of our muddy boots to the tips of our green thumbs,
The OZCF Team
