Farming with nature, a new DStv and Openview series, is not just a visual spectacle; it is also a celebration of the insight that drives farmers to embrace conservation farming practices, even when it goes against conventional norms.
This is the view of Ronelle Louwrens, the award-winning publisher and executive producer of the show that debuts on Monday, 18 September. The ground-breaking series was produced by Food For Mzansi in partnership with SSK.
A spellbinding series
Louwrens says the series promises to captivate viewers with its stunning visuals and inspiring stories. Her objective was to create a programme that was both exploratory and investigative, aiming to showcase the breathtaking beauty and vastness of the Overberg landscape. In her words, “The viewers must feel in awe of the environment and understand our place as humans and agriculturalists in the grand scheme of things.”
She noted “It takes a lot of your soul to go against the grain. These are ‘real’ human beings who took on gigantic tasks and they persevered and succeeded against all the odds. And they made the world a better place for it. We can learn from them.”
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How it started
The genesis of Farming with nature can be traced back to 2022 when Louwrens’s team received a nomination for the best use of video in an international competition centred around climate change in the Cape Winelands.
Henk de Beer, former COO of SSK, heard about their nomination and reached out to them. This chance encounter led to a conversation about the remarkable story of conservation farming in the Southern Cape, ultimately resulting in a six-part TV series, along with a series of podcasts and articles.
When asked about her favourite moments during the production of the series, Louwrens spoke glowingly of the farmers she encountered. She was particularly struck by their boundless energy, passion, and vision for the future. She marvelled at their patience in waiting for nature and treating it with kindness.
Up close and personal
Louwrens also cherished the moments when her team was invited into the farmers’ homes for lunch or coffee, offering a glimpse into their lives beyond the fields.
“We filmed over a year, so we got quite the variation in weather. Some days were icy cold and windy, and other times extremely hot. If you’re out there on the field, you can’t ignore Mother Nature. You get an idea of the size of everything and your place in it.”
Regarding the farmers’ performances on camera, she shared her surprise at how natural and effective they were as communicators. While some were initially nervous about being filmed, their earnestness shone through, making them perfect subjects for the series. She describes their expressions as occasionally challenging to translate, given their vivid descriptions.
Be at peace with nature
Louwrens highlighted several quotes from the series that left a lasting impression on her. She cites Pieter de Jager’s wisdom: “You have to farm in harmony with nature, or she’s going to kick you off.”
She also noted CD du Toit’s cautionary statement: “If you are going to try and make too much money from nature over the short term, then you are going to hurt nature.”
Lastly, she references Johann Muller’s insight: “If you don’t stay with the times, you just won’t exist.”
Farming with nature is essential for anyone interested in the source of their food, according to Louwrens. Viewers will not only fall in love with the characters but also gain valuable insights into conservation agriculture.
“It is beautiful. The backdrop cannot be improved – even if you designed and built it,” she says.
- Watch Farming with nature from Monday, 18 September to Sunday, 1 October at 19:30 on People°s Weather, DStv channel 180 and Openview channel 115. There is also a repeat broadcast at 21:00 on the same evening. For a comprehensive weekend catch-up, stay tuned for the omnibus edition airing on both Saturdays and Sundays.
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