GEORGE NEWS - The air is fresh and cool, the morning sun glistens on the leaves of row upon row of avocado trees, and in the distance, the Outeniqua Mountains stretch across the horizon.

At the shed on Summer 16, a farm in the Herold's Bay area, farm manager Mario Lombard distributes tasks and equipment to a small group of workers. They are then dropped off in the orchards to tackle the weeds.

There is great excitement on the farm, as Lombard has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year competition. The eight finalists were revealed this week.

Mario has been farming in George for the past 18 years and was nominated for the competition by the Outeniqualand Agricultural Association.

Agriculture was not his first choice for a career. He completed his studies at Worcester Boland College in 2005. "I initially obtained a motor and diesel mechanic diploma, but I still had a bursary left over. One of my lecturers then suggested I register for the agriculture course. As my studies progressed, I fell in love with it, and eventually chose to make a life out of it," says Lombard.

After his studies, he farmed for a short while in the Robertson area, but in 2007, he joined the Van Greunens in George, where he started as a junior production manager and worked his way up to production manager of one of the blueberry units, and later to head of blueberry production.

"The knowledge I gained there laid a strong foundation and has served me well."

In 2024, he joined Summer 16, eager for change and a new challenge. It was around this time that avocados started gaining popularity in the area.

Summer 16 is a young farming operation. The owners acquired the farm in 2016 and planted their first avocados in 2020. Since then, the business has seen strong growth and has expanded to 60 hectares under avocado trees. They also farm with 190 Beefmasters. Further expansion is on the horizon.

Avocado trees on Summer 16 are in various stages of development. Young trees can be seen in the foreground with some of the orchards further back. The nets serve as windbreakers.

Satisfaction of seeing growth

Lombard says the avocado farmers in the area are generous with advice, and you can ask freely if you do not know something. 

What excites him about farming is the satisfaction of seeing the small trees grow and bearing fruit as a result of his efforts in the orchards.

"Working with people, building a team, teaching them and making a difference in their lives is part of what makes farming fulfilling."

It also makes him happy to be outdoors and to wake up in the morning knowing he does not have to sit in city traffic.

Abel Bezuidenhout, one of the owners of Summer 16, says Mario’s selection is a great source of pride for them. 

"We are very happy that his hard work and dedication are being noticed and recognised. We set very high standards for him and have high expectations, because we must deliver a quality product that is competitive in a global market. 

"The challenge remains to always maintain an inquisitive mindset in this era of knowledge and developing technology. That is why we constantly challenge the status quo to farm better and achieve better outcomes. We are deeply aware of the privilege of joyfully cultivating our Heavenly Father’s field. All the best to Mario and all the young finalists," says Bezuidenhout.

In the heart of the farm - without a pump system irrigation cannot happen.

Lombard is excited to be part of the contest, but says the competition is stiff. "There are strong candidates. Last Friday, I was in Cape Town to introduce myself and the farm to the panel.

"They look at candidates' decision-making and management skills, and whether you have insight at a high level. They want to know what you have brought to the farming operation and the changes you have made agriculturally and financially to benefit the business."

According to the judging panel's convener, Inus Oosthuizen, the finalists are already established producers who make a valuable contribution to the Western Cape agricultural economy.

The winner will be announced on 11 June and will represent the province at the national Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.

Mario's love for farming developed 'by accident' through his agricultural studies.

This year's harvest is on the way.

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