Bright Futures

In 2007 Haygrove commenced our second Development Business, this time an upliftment programme focused on previously disadvantaged people associated with our farm 'Haygrove Heaven' in South Africa.

Haygrove Heaven began growing raspberries in Hermanus, Western Cape, in 2002 and is now the largest exporter of raspberries in Southern Africa. From humble beginnings of 1 hectare, we now cultivate in excess of 60 hectares of raspberries, strawberries and blueberries and have become one of the largest employers (up to 600 workers) in the region.

Last year we launched a progressive and earned, upliftment programme, that provides a structured ladder of opportunity, clearly staged into bronze, silver, gold and platinum, with increasing responsibility and reward for effort, ability and performance. At the platinum level graduates achieve the offer of individual business partnership - with the majority to the trainee. The initiative has been supported by Shell Foundation's 'Trading Up' programme in conjuction with Marks & Spencer, to whom we are very grateful.

so far, the programme has been running for nine months and recruits (all from Haygrove Heaven itself) have been given extensive practical and theoretical training on their journey to becoming raspberry farmers in their own right. The aptly named "Bright Futures" is a partnership that will hopefully one day be looked back upon by some as made in Heaven!