Discover Our Story

From the early 1920s, the farm known as Schuwerdraai Skool served as a small rural school for children travelling from neighbouring farms far and wide. In those years, the property played an important role in the local farming community, providing education to children who lived in the surrounding countryside.

In 1995 the Van der Merwe family purchased the land and began shaping the next chapter of the farm’s story. Recognising the ideal conditions for pecan nut farming, plans were drawn up to establish a pecan orchard on the existing 33 hectare property. The first trees were planted in 1997, laying the foundation for the working pecan nut farm that continues to grow today.

At the heart of the property stands the original farmhouse, dating back to the 1920s. Carefully renovated over time, it remains an important part of the farm’s heritage while offering the comfort and charm of country living.

The surrounding landscape forms part of the remarkable Vredefort Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest visible meteor impact structure on earth. This ancient geological formation has shaped the rolling hills, rocky outcrops and scenic river landscapes that define the area today.

Schuwerdraai Farm remains a working pecan nut farm where agriculture and nature exist side by side. Through The Nutcracker Country Retreat, guests are invited to experience the farm’s peaceful setting while enjoying the comfort of the homestead.