The CEO and founder of Vital Veggie Garden - an agriculture and hydroponic fresh produce cultivation business - Michael Brooks, quit his job as an operational airline supervisor for Emirates Airlines to pursue his passion for farming.
Today, as a first-generation farmer, his business supplies vegetables to Spar and fish for sushi to Checkers and Woolworths. The 33-year-old cannabis and vegetation farmer has always had a passion for farming, and with little to no experience or funding, he quit his job and put all his money into his dream - and it has paid off.
"The reason I left was to start my own venture. I thought it was time to take a leap of faith. I spent all my money taking the risk and a leap of faith. Thirteen years later, I've never looked back," he told News24.
During his early days in the farming industry, Brooks secured his first farm in De Aar in the Northern Cape. The farm constituted 9.2 hectares of land, but he used some 4.2 hectares of it for farming. It also had 4 500 square meters of greenhouse space, where Brooks started farming several vegetables, including pumpkin, butternut, onions, watermelons, and more.
Read more at news24.com