Our Farm
OUR FARM
FARM TO TABLE
Nyeri lies at an elevation of about 5,750 feet (1,750 metres) above sea level. This high altitude, in combination with nutrient-rich volcanic soil, makes Nyeri ideal for farmers and is part of the reason for its long, rich history as a farming hub. In September 2022, Robins Den acquired its farm section from a next door neighbour. This was the beginning of a shift towards centering sustainability and holistic practices surrounding farming and the foundation of its current identity as a farm-to-table establishment. Upon completion of the acquisition, planting began in November of the same year. At present, the farm is fully functioning having recently celebrated its inaugural year in November of 2023.
WE ARE FARM FRESH
As a farm-to-table establishment, we are passionate about the connection between good food and your well-being. In light of this, we encourage our guests to visit the farm space for themselves, to reconnect and better understand natural planting and homesteading. At Robins Den, naturally delicious ingredients travel only a short distance to deliver their wholesome goodness. With fresh seasonal produce harvested from our shamba daily, or as needed, it is incredibly easy to prepare a stunning variety of dishes using only the finest organic produce, grown right here on our grounds. We place the utmost importance on an intentional awareness of environmentally conscious practices. As we mature as a farm, we continue to invest into establishing infrastructure for alternative and sustainable energy solutions. Our present plumbing and wiring for electricity are set up to allow for future integration and use of solar energy.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Our 1/4 acre organic shamba offers an abundance and variety of organic seasonal vegetables and fruits. Additionally, local tree species have been thoughtfully planted in order to cultivate an environment that echoes the surrounding natural ecosystem as closely as possible. Managu, Sukuma Wiki, Cabbage, Terere, Potatoes and Maize are just some of the seasonal vegetables we cultivate that can be found on our menu at Robins Den. Our fruit trees include tree tomato, lime, avocado and mango. Guests are also able to purchase fruits and vegetables from our shamba to take away. The mixture of indigenous trees and surrounding landscaping make for an exquisite tapestry of natural colours and scents. All this can be enjoyed to the accompanying soothing tune of birdsong from the different species of bird that frequent our spaces. There are approximately 319 species of birds that can be found in Nyeri. Keen birdwatchers may catch the glossy iridescence of a Common Scimitarbill’s feathers, the patch of startling bright red above the eye of the otherwise black-and-white Black-throated Wattle-eye or the characteristic three-note call of the black-masked Chinspot Batis. These are just a few of the beautiful and unique birds that visit us at Robins Den.
OUR SHAMBA
In our shamba, you will find Kienyeji chicken, sheep and goats, reared for consumption, egg and milk production. Our sheep breed of choice is Dorper Sheep and this breed is particularly reared for meat production. A South African breed of domestic sheep, they are non-selective grazers and fit well in cool climates. Dorper sheep are the perfect breed for our zero waste approach as they can be used to convert feed resources, which are not utilised or underutilised by other livestock. Alpine goats are also kept at the farm, predominantly for milk production. The breed originated in the French Alps and are heavy milkers. The milk can be made into butter, cheese, soap, ice cream or any other dairy product normally made from cow's milk. They are kept as well as homestead milk goats. Kienyeji is a term used to describe free range chicken of different breeds that are available in Kenya, which produce eggs and meat that are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Indigenous chickens are deeply woven into the cultural fabric of communities and have been an integral part of sustainable smallholder farming systems in Kenya for generations. These hardy birds are well-adapted to local conditions and require minimal input. Our Kienyeji chickens are reared for both meat and egg production and are also available for purchase.
CONSCIOUS PERMACULTURE
At Robins Den we are invested in employing a no-waste, circular approach to permaculture within our farming practice. For example, remnants of our harvest are used as feed for the livestock. Additionally, we have acquired a new 3-acre site to produce dedicated feed for our livestock in the form of super napier grass and bracaria. We also recently installed an Azolla pond. Azolla is an aquatic fern with a historical role in agriculture. It can be used for animal feed, green manure, organic fertiliser and to increase soil fertility, as well as for biological wastewater remediation and salt soil reclamation. The above mentioned exercises have proved to be a great learning curve at the farm but we are so excited at these foundational developments towards self sufficiency in rearing livestock at Robins Den. Robins Den believes in education and thus seeks to fully draw out the benefits of sharing information and skills surrounding definitions of farm-to-table, farm fresh and sustainable methods of subsistence farming practice. We aim to pass on the present and future accumulated knowledge we have acquired to individuals who are interested in such initiatives, within the community as well as to all our guests.