“ The accreditation covers various authoritative banner , from environmental to social sustainability . At our farm , we are continually working on being the good that we can be . Not just for ourselves , but for our environment and community as well , ” says Craig Oulton , General Manager Floriculture at Kisima Farm . Oulton explains all the heavy workplace that has gone into achieving this high standard , from water direction to implementing gender par committee , and how all of this lead to higher lineament flowers . The Kisima Farm employee celebrating their achievementWhat does it take to achieve gold?Oulton explain that Au is the high-pitched accreditation that the Kenya Flower Council can give . “ It is an internationally recognized accreditation that cover various standards . It is especially focused on sustainability , both concerning the environs and the societal aspect . Therefore , everything at the farm is looked at , such as the type of chemical that are used , as well as how you plow your faculty and serve your community . At Kisima , we are continually bettering ourselves to be the honorable farm that we can be , and everything we do has a sustainable divisor . ”Craig OultonWater recycle and plant half a million treesOulton shares that there are many face that go into ameliorate Kisima Farm ’s environmental sustainability . “ First of all , we do not apply any chemical substance that are harmful to the environment , we reuse our materials , and try out to apply what nature open us . For instance , we apply insects to get rid of other incursive louse . And to trance the remaining insects we always use traps rather than harmful sprays . In gain , we are very proud of our H2O management , as we are one of the few farms in the area not to habituate any borehole water for our plants . ” Instead , Kisima reap rainwater into specially lined reservoirs , and any wastewater from their pack house and canteen is put through a born wetland mental process to purify the water and be re - used . They have also planted over half a million trees on the farm , 65 % of which are indigenous , for countervail their carbon footprint . Gender equivalence and educationKisima Floriculture utilize over 400 people , include multitude with disabilities and is commit to promoting gender equality in the work . “ Our staff is an of import focus for us , as we desire everyone to feel included and to be treated well . Therefore , we have gender par committees and health and safety committees , so that everyone has a phonation . ” In addition , Kisima has its own Foundation , with which they support the community ontogeny in Buuri Sub - County . The Foundation supports seven master schools and two secondary school , and well as the Gundua Health Centre and Maternity Unit in Ex - Lewa . “ We also have an farming demonstrations site on our farm , to improve local farming pedagogy . ”New varieties on the wayIn additional to all of their sustainability workplace , Kisima Farm is elaborate their flower assortment . “ We are presently grow new miscellanea , and we are not just amplify our rose assortment , which is our predominant harvest . We are excited to also be trialing high end summertime flowers , which are hop to introduce to the mart within the next two yr . Kisima Farm is locate at an ALT of 2,400 meter , at the foot of Mount Kenya . Because of our location , we have the idealistic conditions surroundings for producing gamy caliber summertime flowers . ”Improving practices , improving flower quality“We are very proud of achieving the gold accreditation , as we are outstanding believers in the exercise of our farm . When you set everything at the farm up to be the best that it can be , the quality of the blossom will also enhance . And when everyone add up to form at the farm also feels good and knows what they are doing , all of the pieces of the puzzle come together , and high timbre flowers are the result . ”For more information : Kisima FarmCraig Oulton[email protected]www.kisima.co.ke
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