Agri Kultuur Julie / July 2014 | Page 4

Redaksie | Editorial A s kind op die Hoëveld, het ek hul as “Ouvolk” leer ken. Min het ek toe geweet dat hierdie akkedisspesie se voortbestaan iewers in die toekoms bedreig sou word. I remember my friends and I carefully stalking the Sungazer colonies, and if we were lucky, to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures sitting silently, as if in prayer, gazing at the sun. Read more about these creatures in Tim Vorster’s article Sungazers: The dragons among us. You can also play your part by voting for this lizard to be acknowledged as our national lizard, just click on the link in this article. Min het ons toe geweet van biodiversiteit en die belangrikheid van die bewaring van ons natuurlike hulpbronne. Landbougrond was volop en goedkoop, boerderytegnieke maar bietjie aan die basiese kant en die wêreldbevolking nog lank nie ‘n bedreiging vir voedselsekuriteit nie. Dit het, helaas, heeltemal verander. Vandag baklei die voedselprodusente teen tyd om die bedreigings van ons planeet en natuurlike hulpbronne te probeer beredder. At Agri Kultuur/Culture, we consequently strive to assist our farming communities and readership with topical features and issues in this regard. We thank our contributors and advertisers for their continued effort in making this possible. Hierdie maand is ons hooftema Bewaringsboerdery met bydraes van uiteenlopende aard oor ‘n verskeidenheid onderwerpe. Die belangrikheid van bewaringsboerdery praktyke, en die voor en nadele daarvan sowel as die rol van presisieboerdery hierin, word deeglik onder die loep geneem. Ons steek ook kers op by van ons Jongboer van die Jaar 2014 streekswenners wat hul ondervinding en resepte vir sukses met ons deel. Die beginsels en toepassingspraktyke van Akwaponika en Aeroponika as moontlike werkbare alternatiewe vir voedselsekerheid is hierdie maand van my persoonlike gunstelinge. Tog interessant hoe oerbeginsels vandag met nuwe tegnologie en vreemde kombinasies, kan herleef! What is a Truffle? Volker Miros knows and guides us through the possibilities that this fungus presents as a potential investment opportunity South African farmers and entrepreneurs may consider. At some R11 000 (€ 750) per kg selling price, this is definitely something to consider for the medium term. However, should this not be your kettle of fish, why not try Mushrooms? The South African Mushroom Farmer’s Association actively works toward popularizing this industry, not only for culinary use but also for medicinal purposes. And talking about food – why not indulge in our fantastic recipes for July? Or enjoy Louis Jordaan’s contribution on “Nature’s Breakfast in the Klein Karoo,”- you will be surprised to see what is on the menu! For those of you who like to experiment, we provide a number of practical DIY projects. Why not put your abilities to the test in building your own small aeroponics system, tackle our upcycling glass bottle project or? Andrea Durrheim has wonderful ideas for Conservation Gardening, and who would have thought that Local is not only Lekker, but Luscious as well! Tot volgende maand Chris