Simple-Earth.org
Arid Forge Farms Pty Ltd
We're a small, hands-on small-farming operation in the Klein-Karoo where survival depends on constant learning, adapting and understanding our veld and local conditions.
Our approach is practical: we build soil health and water retention because depleted land doesn't feed anyone. Our goats and chickens are bred for resilience—they handle drought, floods, and unpredictable conditions because healthy, pest-resistant, adaptive animals are productive & happy animals.
Over the past decade, we've integrated data logging and custom electronics into daily operations. We journal, track and observe our soil, plants, wildlife, animal health, and environmental conditions to make better decisions faster. Technology and farming aren't separate here, especially while the climate is playing around.
We raise animals for dairy, meat, permaculture integration, and companionship. We propagate climate-appropriate plants. We document methods through videos, articles and our wiki. We build our own tech solutions because remote semi-arid farming requires self-reliance.
Simple-Earth.org shares what we've learned: practical methods, proven genetics, and honest documentation of what works in challenging environments; we don't mind doing the same for you.
Indigenous to Southern Africa, veldgoats nearly vanished when commercial breeding programs favored "improved" breeds. Today, dedicated conservation efforts are restoring these remarkable survivors. Centuries of natural selection through Africa's harshest conditions created what no breeding program could: a perfectly adapted, self-sufficient animal. Where humans saw traits to "fix," nature had already built the ultimate low-input livestock - hardy, fertile, and functionally efficient without any management intervention. Pure bloodlines survived through resilience in remote areas, preserving traits that modern farming desperately needs.
Today's veldgoats, particularly the Cape Lob Ear ecotype, offer what no imported breed can match: complete self-sufficiency in African conditions. They're not just livestock - they're a farming system that works with nature rather than against it. Where other breeds demand constant inputs and management, veldgoats quietly convert unusable vegetation into premium meat while improving your land's carrying capacity.
For sustainable production without the risks of conventional livestock, veldgoats provide a proven solution refined by generations of environmental pressures.
Originally from West Africa, Nigerian Dwarfs pack full-scale dairy production into a compact, manageable size. Standing just 60cm tall and weighing around 35kg, these miniature goats produce remarkably rich milk with 6.5% butterfat and 3.9% protein - ideal for artisanal cheese and butter making.
Their small stature makes them perfect for smallholdings where space is limited, yet they maintain the proportions and productivity of full-sized dairy breeds. With gentle temperaments and minimal feed requirements, Nigerian Dwarfs offer sustainable dairy production for families wanting fresh milk without the demands of cattle or large goats. Available in stunning color combinations from gold to chocolate to multicolored patterns, they're as appealing as they are practical.
Extended lactations yielding quality over quantity - these little goats prove that good things truly come in small packages.
Developed by Mike Bosch at Mantsole Ranch from Venda, Ovambo and Matabele bloodlines, Boschvelds represent the perfect fusion of indigenous hardiness with consistent production. Their distinctive brown plumage with white feathering provides natural camouflage while signaling their African heritage.
These birds retain the survival instincts and disease resistance of village chickens - alertness to predators, foraging ability, and immunity to common poultry diseases. Yet they deliver predictable results: hens laying four eggs weekly from 24 weeks, cockerels reaching market weight by 12 weeks. No expensive housing or climate control needed - just basic shelter and supplementary grain to boost what they forage naturally.
For sustainable poultry production without the infrastructure demands of commercial breeds, Boschvelds offer the ideal balance of self-sufficiency and productivity.
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our animals, breeding programs, or farming methods, we're here to help.
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