In westerly Kenya , at the ft of Mount Elgon , is Mount Elgon Orchards , one of the oldest horticultural farm in the country . It was the grandfather of the current owner Bob Andersen , who moved to Kenya from Sweden in 1920 . As a phytologist , he try out various yield varieties;but for some years now , now the party only cultivates roses and avocados . In 2005 , they also started Mount Elgon Trust , from which all kinds of projects arise for the employees and family of Mount Elgon Orchards .
Bob Andersen
Floating solar farmChanna van der Spek , who works for Mount Elgon Orchards , explains that they endeavor to make the impact of their work seeable . " We have always done a circle , but now we want to tell more about what is behind our rose wine , " she say . " We are , for example , in the appendage of planting one million tree , we have a hydropower plant life in the river ( piddle - powered generator ) , and we are one of the first with a floating solar gore farm in Kenya . "
" We are also build Modern urine basin to store a year ’s supply of rain . We also have an Ultra Filtration Unit , which purifies the recirculated water - piddle that flows out of the substrate , we pick up and clean it so that no nutrients are lost . We utilize it to get clean boozing water for the workers . " Our ambition is to be carbon copy - inert in the near hereafter . " All this is happening alongside the schoolhouse , infirmary , and orphanhood that were also founded by the Andersen syndicate , and are corroborate by the Mount Elgon Trust .
Quality , responsibility , fun"At the farm , they ferment with a team of about 1,600 employees , 80 % of whom are lasting employees . The employees are well bet after ; they receive on average 32 % more pay than Fairtrade grower , receive day-to-day lunch at employment , extra bonuses , and liberal care when demand , " Channa says . " Our core value ' Quality , Responsibility , and Fun ' are reflected in several areas . "
You could call the farm partially ego - sufficient ; milk comes from the cows that rove there , and maize is also acquire on the farm . The hospital treats about 35,000 patient annually , while more than 3,300 students are educated at primary and junior-grade schooling . Recently , they also start vocational courses , where untested people learn , for representative , to become carpenter , hairdressers or seamstress . There are also classes on farming finish , where Bob himself instruct about produce rose and avocado .
A new sleeveBesides the many enterprise at Mount Elgon Orchards , they are also transforming the promotional material of their roses , share Channa . " In collaboration with Decowraps , we have developed a raw sleeve that is 90 % reuse plastic . On this promotion is a QR code , which tie to a website where consumers can gain ground insight into the farm ’s sustainability initiatives . The top has undergo quite a metabolism . "
Kevin Maarssen of Decowraps is also happy with the collaboration , he says . " For Mount Elgon , we designed a whole range of raw sleeves and update the design with a focal point on recognizability and sustainability . Most significantly , the sleeve is made from 90 % recycled consumer waste matter and is to the full certify . Sustainability is becoming progressively authoritative in the securities industry , and we are attached to increase the per centum of recycled material . The products are already pack in Kenya in the recycled sleeve.and then transported to the Netherlands . "
Packed at sourceMount Elgon Orchards ' product range has also expanded to include Packed at Source , a collaboration with other growers in Kenya to supply bouquets . " We have a received range , but we can also think with the client and develop customer - specific lines , " he says . The roses are sell not only through auctions in the Netherlands but also directly to customers in the UK and Scandinavia , with a substantial proportion distributed through Rosehandling at the vendue in Rijnsburg .
To get more of an melodic theme of what happens at Mount Elgon , they have made a raw miniskirt - documentary . Watch the video here :
Mount Elgon Orchards will be present at the IFTF ( stand B2.40 ) , where you will also see the raw promo television and hear more about Mount Elgon Trust , the roses , and the new packaging . Decowraps can be found at the Trade Fair , stand 1.55 .
For more information : Channa van der SpekMount Elgon Orchards[email protected]www.mtelgon.com
Kevin MaarsenDecowraps Europe[email protected]www.decowraps.com
© FloralDaily.com/Mirthe Walpot
