What we do

What we do

To answer the question “What does Free State Agriculture do?” it is important to first understand who Free State Agriculture is:

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is every member who chooses to become involved in his local agricultural community by joining an active agricultural association. Local agricultural associations handle local affairs on behalf of their members and in accordance with the constitution of the Agricultural Association. It is at association level that the Rural Safety Plan is implemented, Fire Protection Associations’ (FPAs) ground level structures function together and where community projects such as infrastructure, municipal liaison etc. be handled. Agricultural associations are the glue that binds the agricultural community together at the grassroots level.

Commodity organizations also function at association level by compiling a commodity specific study group from members of the association who give feedback on their commodity at meetings.

Well-functioning and active agricultural associations are therefore the heartbeat of the whole of organized agriculture.

farm

The committee continuously and constantly facilitates the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy (RSS) with the identification of shortcomings, in collaboration with the SA Police Service… in Rural areas / farming communities. Each town’s farming community must have a sector safety plan facilitated by safety representatives and coordinators of Farmers’ Associations and the local police station regarding the conduct of white / blue light patrols, farm visits, drills, awareness campaigns and monthly meetings regarding their crime threats. The consolidation regarding the impact / extent of all crimes, including farm attacks, livestock theft, scrap and copper cable, implement and product theft, illegal hunting with dogs, is determined and called monthly for the necessary interventions by the police.

Dr Jane Buys | jane@vslandbou.co.za

The Agri Securitas Trust Fund was established by Agri SA through which various companies make financial contributions for the promotion of rural safety. This is done through the partial financing of the following technological aids e.g… radio communication systems, camera systems, security equipment, trauma counselling for victims of violent crimes (farm attacks). Farmers’ associations apply via Free State Agriculture to Agri SA for assistance by means of written application.

Elize Spence | elize@vslandbou.co.za

Addresses Land, Tenure, Municipal liaison (commonage) and rural development related issues 

Aims:

  • To assist members affected by land reform related legislation such as Restitution, Redistribution, Expropriation or Tenure Security Acts, and play an active role in the lobbying against unreasonable amendments and regulations of these policies
  • To guide effective land reform, new farmer development and sector transformation within the ambit of the Constitution of the RSA AND guided by the Free State Agriculture Land Policy
  • To establish and manage systems and structures which unite rural communities to mobilize around actions which serve agriculture and agricultural communities (e.g. inputs into IDP’s, bridge-building actions to commonage farmers, lobby for well-run waste management and wastewater treatment sites to prevent fires and pollution to neighbouring and downstream farmers, etc. 

Ongoing activities of the office staff:

  • Active participation in the AgriSA Land CoE though an active and effective Provincial Committee 
  • Assist members affected by the land reform related legislation (fight for the protection of property rights) 
  • Guide members who voluntarily participate in Land reform / AgriBEE / worker empowerment
  • Review and comment on proposed policy amendments (via AgriSA)
  • Assist in market related land reform initiatives through NGO’s and Development Agencies (serve on boards / forums/ committees)
  • Help guide/coordinate sector transformation through liaison with academics, private sector think tanks, commodity associations and Agribusiness land reform/new farmer development divisions 
  • Hold Gov. accountable (Watchdog function) in implementing Land reform , agricultural and rural development plans 
  • District Land Reform structure representation and coordination
  • Municipal Agricultural Forum channels (COGTA) IDP’s, LED, Small Town Revitalization (SALGA) – with business chambers
  • Gov. and Training institution Internship and Apprentice facilitation – JobsFund, AgriSETAs, TVET expansion, Glen College
  • Provincial AgriBEE Forum representation 
  • Agro-Processing Forums (DESTEA liaison)

Campaigns and Special Projects:

  • Active participation in the finalization process of the Expropriation Bill as well as other new legislation (campaigns and policy influencing)
  • Engage the Premier, Departments of Land Affairs, Economic Development, COGTA, Housing, Police Roads and Transport and Agriculture to tell us how they intend to drive Rural Development and how they want the Agriculture sector to be involved?
  • Showcase success stories as part of a Land & Farm worker progress – Media campaign

Dr Jack Armour | jack@vslandbou.co.za

Free State Agriculture’s Young Farmer Committee was established on 3 August 1985. This committee provides a home for young farmers within the structures of Free State Agriculture where a platform is created to express their unique opinions, problems and be able to share future vision with the rest of agriculture and be the mouthpiece of development for the young farmer.

The first Young Farmer of the Year competition took place in 1996. The aim of the Young Farmer of the Year competition is to empower young farmers through organized agriculture for sustainable growth. The competition enables the young farmer to focus on aspects of his farming that he previously took for granted.

Entry form for 2023 competition can be found here

Elize Spence | elize@vslandbou.co.za

Addresses Farm Management (Taxation, Property Rates, Finance, Production & Marketing best practices, Agricultural Data and Statistics etc.)  and Infrastructure (Roads, Rail, Energy and Telecommunications) related issues 

Aims:

To lobby for an enabling environment for farmers to conduct business in, by:

  • Holding state departments & private providers accountable to improve and maintain critical infrastructure; Telecoms, Energy and Transport networks
  • Being actively involved in data initiatives and discussions to minimise price increases and monitor service delivery (SARS, Treasury, Auditor General, NERSA, PASA, StatsSA, DWS-Water tarifs & COGTA/SALGA-Municipal property rates)
  • By establishing strong and coordinated structures for active municipal liaison (property rates, valuations, IDP, LED & demarcation, SPLUM), contributing to the District Development Model to integrate planning, coordination and budgeting across all 3 spheres of government
  • To help improve resilience of members to disaster shocks to their business & to lobby effective disaster relief

Ongoing activities of the office staff:

  • Lobby NERSA for lower electricity fees and engage ESKOM on feeding Alternative Energy into grid, fixed line fees and fire risk.
  • Facilitate new Diesel rebate system roll-out to members once ready (information dissemination and interpretation) 
  • Assist members with SARS related matters –Tax, VAT, Diesel Rebate & engage in and inform members on changes in tax legislation 
  • StatsSA – assist in data collection in line with the Protocol for Access to Farms and inform farmers of NB surveys and interpretation of results for better planning. Engage StatsSA regarding the collection of data fields required for better decision making in agriculture
  • Handel and refer infrastructure related issues through the proper channels –Telekoms, Energy & Transport related issues.
  • Assist and guide members towards more active citenzry at all 3 spheres of government
  • Establish and manage an effective network of communication from Agricultural Association to Municipal to District Municipality level

Campaigns and Special Projects:

  • Better co-ordinated Roads Maintenance & repair action  – WhatsApp groups for “Virtual” district Roads Boards
  • Fight against SALGA’s application to make Municipalities an intermediaries between ESKOM and farmers#
  • Revival of local agricultural / community forums to hold grassroots government accountable and assist with service delivery

Thorough input into and facilitation of the implementation of the Agricultural Master Plan in the Free State

Dr Jack Armour | jack@vslandbou.co.za

The committee is mainly involved in:

-Provision of information regarding labour legislation, sectoral determinations as well as the National Minimum Wage, labour contracts and tenure agreements.

-Advice of a general nature, liaison and inquiries regarding the Department of Employment and Labour.

-Inquiries to the Commission for Conciliation and Mediation and Arbitration.

-Note: No formal appearances at Forums

Gernie Botha | gernie@vslandbou.co.za

Addresses Water, Mining and Minerals, and Disaster (floods and fires, climate, pests and diseases) related issues 

Aims:

  • Communicate applicable natural resources related information clearly to members – policy development and new research / literature 
  • Assist irrigation farmers on water related issues & help protect their water rights and rights to safe water
  • Promote sustainable farming and conservation practices
  • Protect agricultural land against the environmental/water degrading effects of mining and development 
  • Improve disaster resilience and reduce risk 
  • Serve a “watchdog” function for administrative justice by Gov. (Minerals, DWS, Env., Agric., Depts.) 

Ongoing activities of the office staff:

  • Attend ¼ly CCAW (Co-ordinating Committee Agricultural Water) meetings and assist farmers applying for new water rights, and bi-annual Orange & Vaal Status Reporting meetings
  • Assist members with Water Licencing related problems & to help protect their water rights
  • Manage various WhatsApp Groups made up of the Farmers’ Association representatives of Irrigation Farmers, Catchment Management Forums, Fire & Locust Control Officers, disaster relief representatives etc. 
  • Participate in the Provincial Disaster Management task team activities
  • Liaise with the FPA’s & ESKOM RE Fires
  • Assist members on invader, migrating and problem species and help promote soil conservation

Campaigns and Special Projects:

  • Disaster help campaigns – update internal policies, finance and actions plans
  • Water: Protect members’ water rights, pressurize DWS to conclude Validation & Verification, ensure productive, sustainable, just and equitable Water Allocation Reform. Involve water rights holders not part of WUA’s
  • Implement Mining & Prospecting policy mandate and protocol to best serve and assist affected members – launch a funding campaign if necessary

Dr Jack Armour | jack@vslandbou.co.za