Klein Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa
Situated in South Africa’s Klein Karoo near Vanwyksdorp, Ricky’s Drift is both a regenerative veganic farm and a dedicated animal sanctuary. Under the guidance of Louise, who has stewarded the land through over 15 years of no-till, restorative agriculture, the farm is pioneering a unique path: it is the first animal sanctuary-based structure in the world to undergo biocyclic vegan certification.
The farm spans more than 6 hectares, encompassing olive orchards (~1.3 ha), vegetable and herb fields (~2 ha), and animal sanctuary spaces (~3.5 ha). These areas are carefully mapped and buffered by natural features such as stone walls, tree lines, and riverbeds, ensuring clear zones of cultivation, composting, and conservation.
Ricky’s Drift has achieved an exceptionally high score of 9.03 on the Biocyclic Operation Index (BOI) — a diagnostic tool used by Biocyclic Vegan International to evaluate how well a farm integrates biodiversity, soil fertility, and protection against contamination. The BOI considers the ecological interactions between cultivated areas and their surroundings, with special emphasis on natural buffer zones and preventive plant protection. A minimum score of 6 is required to proceed with certification; Ricky’s Drift’s score reflects outstanding commitment to regenerative practices such as cover cropping, green manures, and strict exclusion of animal inputs in vegetable production.
While the sanctuary’s animals live freely and are not exploited for any productive purpose, they naturally produce manure. According to the Biocyclic Vegan Standard, this manure cannot be used for vegetables but can be used — after specific treatment — for perennial crops such as olive and fruit trees. Ricky’s Drift is implementing a distinct composting process that honours this principle, making it a global reference case for integrating sanctuaries within certified vegan farming.
The farm also champions indigenous ecological knowledge, especially through the cultivation of Spekboom (Portulacaria afra), a native succulent known for its carbon sequestration and medicinal value. This aligns with the farm’s ethos of restoring ecological harmony and honoring traditional wisdom.
In addition to certification efforts, Ricky’s Drift is building a volunteer program that will welcome learners from South Africa and abroad to engage in plant-based farming, eco-architecture, and cross-cultural dialogue. A storytelling initiative — through a website, newsletters, and social media — will further document and share this transformative journey.
Ricky’s Drift stands at the intersection of ethics, ecology, and innovation — modeling how sanctuaries and agriculture can coexist in a system that respects all forms of life and regenerates the earth.
Ricky’s Drift is currently preparing for biocyclic vegan certification.
Contact:
Ricky’s Drift Farm
Off R324, Vanwyksdorp
Western Cape, South Africa
Email: info@rickysdrift.co.za
Web: www.rickysdrift.co.za
