Cresset House | Environmental Sustainability

Over the span of 50 years, Cresset House has always been involved in organic management of the land. With the benefit of so many years' experience, as well as the current skills of our qualified Agronomist and our ongoing quest to continually advance our expertise in the organic arena, our staff and residents work together in sustaining optimum eco-friendly, organic farming practices. We are committed to the principles of growth, ever-evolving environmental betterment and sustainability of the delicate eco-system of our property.

As part of our commitment to a 'green culture', the following practices are part of our regular routine:

Planting organic vegetables and herbs for the facilities' own use, as well as for clients;
Making our own organic pesticides and compost;
Cultivating our own Worm Farm;
Recycling paper, cardboard, glass, batteries, plastic and tins;
Collecting old computer components, scrap metal, old batteries and globes, and dropping them off at designated collection points;
Using only natural cleaning materials (no chemicals);
Instead of a municipal sewage system, we recycle eight million litres of waste water annually through a unique Reed Bed System that was introduced and constructed in 1994. This water is then used to irrigate the land (orchards and house gardens). This Constructed Wetlands is one of the unique features of Cresset House - we're very proud of this cleverly and attractively designed, environmentally friendly and interesting water purification system!

Cresset House is also dedicated to making its progressive 'green' approach and sustainable farming techniques accessible through training courses. We currently offer these courses to unemployed women from surrounding impoverished communities, training them over a three-month period which completes the duration of our Organic Farming Course. The Course Modules include:

Community Management for Sustainable and Optimal Land Use;
Crops for Hydroponic Production;
Seedling Production;
Irrigation and Water Management;
Open Garden and Tunnel Farming;
Crop Protection;
Soil Improvement and Organic Vegetable Production;
Basic HIV/Aids Education and Nutrition;
Vermi-culture Production and Management (Worm farming);
Epi-culture (Bees);
Medicinal Plant Propagation and Establishment;
Integrated Pest, Disease and Weed Management (I.P.D.W.);
Garden Planning, Design and Management.