Local NPO ventures into farming for sustainable service
Founded nine years ago and registered as a non-profit for seven years, the organisation has weathered storms – both literal and metaphorical – to provide essential services to its community.
Amid the challenges where financial stability often determines the fate of community organisations, Urban Ruins NPO stands out as a beacon of resilience and innovation.
Founded nine years ago and registered as a non-profit for seven years, the organisation has weathered storms – both literal and metaphorical – to provide essential services to its community.
When a major corporate sponsor withdrew its support, Urban Ruins faced a daunting challenge to keep its doors open and continue its impactful work.
Overcoming financial challenges
According to Clayton Viljoen, CEO of Urban Ruins, for a significant portion of seven years, the NPO was fortunate to have the support of an international company that generously provided operational funding.
“Unfortunately, because of circumstances beyond their control, they had to withdraw their operations in South Africa.
“However, they left us with a legacy amount that allowed us to start a new business, with which we ventured into an oyster mushroom farm last year.
“Through this initiative, we cultivate and sell oyster mushrooms to individuals and businesses, aiming to recoup the financial support we lost when our previous sponsor withdrew,” said Viljoen.
He underscored this transition marked a significant milestone for both the organisation and the community they serve, as they are almost self-sufficient and cover their own operational costs.
“We have successfully inoculated 115 buckets of 20l each with oyster mushroom spores.
“The money generated from the mushroom farm supports our ongoing projects, including early childhood development.
“We cater to 60 children, providing them with education, meals, and the foundational support they need.
“Additionally, our feeding scheme operates five days a week, serving cooked meals for 200 to 600 people daily, with a continuous need for starch such as pap or rice.
“We also run a clothing bank, distributing clothing to those in need, and we are currently collecting blankets as winter nears.
“We also have a reset project which aims to assist people in transitioning from homelessness to stable housing by collecting and distributing essential household items such as furniture, beds, couches, kitchen appliances, and curtains.
“We carry out these initiatives daily, with the income generated from the mushroom farm crucial to sustaining our services,” said Viljoen.
Scaling up for impact
Dave Davis, a farmer and member of the organisation, said they started growing oyster mushrooms because it is a growing market all over the world.
“Oyster mushrooms are developing globally and are easy to grow indoors and can make a good profit.
“The entire process of the farm begins with wheat straw, which is chopped up and mixed with water and hydrated lime.
“The mixture is then carefully monitored until it reaches a saturated consistency, neither too wet nor too dry before being packed into 20l buckets with holes on the side.
“These mushrooms come in yellow, pink, grey, and white varieties, with pink and gold oysters being more heat-tolerant and grey and white oysters more cold-tolerant.
“Once packed, the buckets are sealed and placed in an incubation chamber for three to six weeks.
“During this time, they begin pinning. Once pinning starts, we transfer the buckets to the fruiting room where the mushrooms grow. Each patch is meticulously tracked throughout the process,” said Davis.
Davis emphasised the goal regarding the production is to have at least 70 buckets operating in a fruiting room a day, intending to produce as many pallets as possible per week, each weighing 150g.
“We aim to scale up the oyster mushroom production, targeting 300 pallets per week by the end of June.
“The mushrooms are R30 per pallet and some of the food companies that buy from us are Food Lovers Market and Rebels,” said Davis.
He added they welcome support from individuals and businesses.
“Whether through purchasing oyster mushrooms, donating funds, food, furniture, clothing, or blankets, every contribution helps sustain the organisation’s work,” said Davis.
Those interested in purchasing mushrooms or helping the NPO in any way can contact Clayton on 081 747 0833.
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