Andrew van Lingen

Andrew van Lingen grew up on an apple farm near Greyton, but horticulture wasn’t his first career choice. “I was unsure what to study, but people said, choose engineering and it will open the doors so that you can decide later.” he remembers. He completed his first year of engineering with no appetite to continue but uncertain about the best path forward.

Van Lingen’s life changed after job-shadowing horticultural adviser Anton Müller. “I asked, how do I become what you are? He said, you have to do your master’s in horticulture, so I signed up for that.”

At the end of his fourth year in horticulture, Van Lingen started an internship with Two-a-Day. “They were looking to sponsor two students in horticulture for their master’s with the idea of us joining them at least once a week when they visit the farms as advisers.” Van Lingen is currently employed full-time by Two-a-Day as an agricultural adviser. He expects to complete his master’s degree this year.

When asked about trends in the industry, Van Lingen singles out innovation. “I see people more eager to try new things. Based on the farmers that I’ve spoken to, the margins are getting smaller. The costs keep going up. Farmers are moving to higher density planting and more modern practices far more quickly than they did previously. I think it’s a good thing.”

Van Lingen loves his job but sees his role in agriculture evolving beyond that of advice. “I’ll do this for a number of years until I have a lot more experience,” he says, “and then, one way or another, I’ll farm for myself.”

Image by Peartree Photography.