Camphill

Camphill Village is part of a worldwide movement that was started in Scotland in 1939 by Karl Konig, an Austrian pediatrician and educator, and several colleagues, inspired by the works of the philosopher and educator, Rudolf Steiner. Rudolf Steiner pioneered Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and new frontiers in science, the arts, sociology, medicine, and curative work. In 1952, the mother of an intellectually challenged boy read about Camphill and invited Karl Konig to come to South Africa. She donated a piece of land in Hermanus as a site to start a school. Here a school for intellectually challenged was created and still exists today. Once the children reached adulthood, a new need arose, which was to create place for adults with intellectual disabilities to live and work. Camphill’s various enterprises produce several ranges of products that are sold to Cape Town retailers as part of Camphill’s efforts to be financially sustainable. Dairy products Camphill’s dairy produces a range of organic products from the rich milk from its Jersey cows. Full cream and half fat yoghurt are in great demand, as are our cheeses, feta, crème fraiche, frozen yoghurts and labaneh. Our refrigerated van delivers the fresh products to Cape Town daily. Bakery products Camphill’s bakery has developed an array of different breads using stone-ground flour and natural wild yeasts. Rye-ferment bread (wheat and yeast free), seed loaf, light brown bread, raisin bread, rusks, rye biscuits and granola and mueslis. These are delivered to selected Cape Town retailers and sold at our monthly markets. Herbal Products In the herbal workshop we produce a range of herbal cosmetics, lip balms, deodorants, massage oils, bath milks, creams, soaps, bath salts, and herb teas and culinary herbs all made from pure natural ingredients and, where possible, from herbs grown on the farm. They are available from certain Cape Town health stores and can be bought directly at our monthly markets. Fresh Produce Camphill’s vegetable gardens are planted with a range of season produce all of which are grown according to organic/biodynamic principles as well as herbs & fruit These supply our own group homes as well as some Cape Town organic vegetable box schemes. Farm Products Besides the dairy products and fresh produce mentioned above Camphill’s farm produces free-range eggs, jojoba beans, guavas and braai wood.