Farm Introduction
Arulussa Farm was purchased in 2012 by a group of investors. The process started in October of 2008, when two of the current owners went on a mission trip to Zambia to help out an orphanage each of them had supported in the past.
The founder of the orphanage, Benedict Schwartz, introduced the former owner of Arulussa Farm to one of the current owners. Schwartz thought that it would be a great training facility, and a help to the future development of the orphanage by providing job training, employment, and development of work skills for the orphans.
The idea was born and the current owners (having backgrounds in the business sector) from the United States, began the process of determining how to purchase the farm in Zambia for the benefit of the orphans, small scale farmers (the major purchasing of most of Arulussa’s crops), and increase employment in the area.
The current investors were actually not new to the idea and skills needed in specifically running an agricultural businesses or business of any kind. Though, they were rookies when it came to Zambia. For various reasons, it ended up taking nearly three years to purchase Arulussa Farm. The farm was officially purchased in 2012.
The Farm is now the only major supplier of high quality cassava and sweet potato propagation material for small-scale farmers in Zambia. The Farm is seed-certified by the Zambian government for the production of high-quality seed and plant material. The Farm also produces a number of essential oils that include tree-tea, lemongrass, and sweet marjoram, along with other products.
The Farm’s owners have a vision of expanding Arulussa Farm for the continued purpose of producing high quality seeds and plant material for small-scale farmers, expanding essential oil production and increasing the production and manufacturing of soap and body lotions.
The owners will be establishing a program to train and employ the orphans from the All Kids Can Learn Orphanage once they become of age for employment, which is 18 years old in Zambia. This will provide the orphans with wages and skills to either continue with higher education or seek employment in the agriculture industries in Zambia.
The new owners have expanded the productive acres of the farm by 25. They have also introduced a new plant material, solid core bamboo. They are also improved the employees housing and co-owner Ed Ingve is building a new school building at All Kids Can Learn Orphanage so that the farm will be able to send their employees children to school, on site.
About Kevin Riordan, Arulussa Farm President
Kevin is a commercial real estate broker in Milwaukee, WI. Kevin became the farm’s president in 2012. Kevin has a background in horticulture and thoroughly enjoys being part of Arulussa Farm. He understands the importance of keeping the farm profitable to support the farm’s greater purpose.
You can email Kevin at kriordan@boerke.com.
About Edward Ingve, Arulussa Farm Vice President and Chairman of the Board
Edward works in the energy sector out of Colorado. Edward became the farm’s vice president and chairman of the board in 2012. Edward is essential to keeping the farm’s business aspect in line and in focus with the farm’s essential link to the Village of Hope and All Kids Can Learn foundation and the construction of the new school building at the orphanage for the farm’s employees and their children.
You can email Edward at ed@renegadeoilandgas.com.
Musakanya Kalonga, Arulussa Manager
Malambo Mukwa, Arulussa Manager
You can email us both at Arulussa.ltd@aol.com.
Phone for the Farm in Zambia is +260 971 134 499.