Nathalie from Convert the Dirt

Tell us a little about yourself!

I grew up in Jhb, and now live on the coast of KZN. After Wits I worked at a bank which is likely where I’d still be if it hadn’t been for COVID. Our nanny sadly passed away when our 2nd son was 6 weeks old, and we were running on fumes… my husband suggested we stay with his mom and dad on the coast for a few weeks so we came here… and we never left! After maternity leave we were both still working from home, and then when lockdown ended and we both asked for a transfer to KZN.

Paulie got his but I was client facing and with my client base being in Jhb, so I didn’t get mine. I’d already qualified as a lab tech with the Soil food web, so Paul suggested I give it a bash for a year… and I’m still bashing about 4 years later haha. When I had signed up to do the SFW course the intention had been to at least use the learnings on our “one day future farm”even if I didn’t make a career of it. I’ve LOVED meeting my new client base: farmers and their teams!! and loved living vicariously through them… finding that farmers are THE most all round skilled individuals who have to understand and execute being an engineer, strategist, finance, operations, politician, family man/ woman… oh and ya and that actual thing of being a farmer: knowing the crop deeply, history of the farm… taking calculated risks. There’s a LOAD more descriptors… it’s just crazy that we don’t give farmers more credit. It’s not an easy game. And there again there are so many different types of personalities … it’s really a part of life I feel people should know and experience more of. Who is behind that shelf, their day to day, to get you that food.

How did you start doing what you are doing now? 

I’ve always loved food, and the dive into soil started when I got growing on my balcony apartment in Jhb. My goal was to never buy veg or fruit again haha. When I would pick and eat from the different plants I grew then (4 floors up) it fascinated me…the magic of plants. That all these different flavours could be developed with the same 3 inputs (well I thought then): sun, water and soil. The plant is magic! I used to buy soil amendments and fertilizer from the nursery, I wanted strong and healthy plants. More food! I can’t remember if I started composting before or after learning about the Soil Food Web… oh it was before because I remember now I didn’t have much structure or process to it, and it was still not too bad considering. I would change something if what I had done created a smell or gloop… that wasn’t pleasant. It’s a good way to learn, just getting started no matter how knowledgeable you are, cos you learn from what you see (or smell)!

I read a book called Teaming With Microbes which made reference to the SFW, and that’s how I found and became associated with the US school. I was hooked, and still am, on growing everything in sync with nature and a huge focus on doing so by focusing on the SOIL. We are so much like plants!!

What are you most proud of in this process? 

The relationships I’ve been blessed with in this short time. You find your people. It takes time, but you do. In return I have been abundantly nourished and (not always) feel so connected and inspired by what’s possible. Most important not only for me but for everyone.

What is the most helpful piece of advice you received when you were just starting out? 

So the advice is personal and rings true every day as I want to DO IT ALL!! Take your time. Enjoy your little ones, they grow too fast. You can always pick up a business but you can’t go backwards to being a present mom…. This helps me chill out… given by 2 amazing women who are so rich in family and their adult kids so equipped for our world. Nothing and no one gets it perfect, so being forgiving and picking up each time.

What advice would you like to give to others who are younger/earlier on their journey? 

Fulfilment for me didn’t come from an outcome / end goal / praise (although it helps to feel recognised)… my personal fulfilment comes from the day to day, of simple doing, immersing if only for a bit, being rewarded in the doing.

If your main daily doings are not rewarding you, that’s okay, because you could be the main breadwinner and it’s not always the dream… pay attention to what makes your heart jump (outside of money and status), try notice it, because that’s a personal gift, which if you nurture and explore it, will keep emerging after long periods of low, and help strengthen and direct you.

Where do you see growing going in South Africa? 

A hybrid of biologically and conventionally grown systems with the focus being on soil, human and ecosystem health (we as consumers need to have our growers be more accessible and less distanced in our system)