In 2015, Judith Isele was chosen as Young Farmer of the Year by the Namibian Agricultural Union for her farm Springbockvley. Judith manages up to 950 Nguni cattle and 4,500 Damara sheep on 19,000 acres (9,500 hectares) in the Kalahari. The average annual rainfall here is a little over 10 inches (260 mm).
This is the first time that a woman applied and received this recognition in Namibia, and it is also the first time an operation won that is managed according to Holistic Management principles and processes and that complies with the Namibia Organic Association.
The operation and successes on Springbockvley have been presented and published in various places, since 1990. In an interview with the South African Landbou Weekblad Judith answered to the following questions: What is the best advice you ever received? To keep trusting my skills and abilities and the principles of Holistic Management. What was your best farming decision? To install solar pumps next to the wind pumps to improve water supply for the large herds. What was the biggest farming mistake you made? To implement management changes during a drought. Talking of drought: This year’s award falls in the second year of very low and badly spaced rainfall in Namibia. The operation on Springbokvley shows how resilience can be built with pro-active grazing management. It is therefore no surprise that Judith had the following answer to an interviewer when asked: “What is your biggest opportunity?” To keep learning everyday how to improve growing conditions for grass and to better manage livestock for improved forage and meat production.