At the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the connection between conservation and community is more than just a philosophy, it’s a daily reality. On their Model Farm and at the Dancing Goat Creamery, the team demonstrates how sustainable agriculture can not only protect wildlife, but also uplift rural livelihoods and empower local farmers.

Recently, CCF’s involvement in the revived Otjiwarongo Farmers Market brought this ethos to life. Held on the last Friday of each month at Mark Plein, the market buzzes with stalls offering handmade crafts, fresh produce, and local delicacies. The CCF stand, however, was a particular favourite. Visitors flocked to sample creamy goat milk ice cream, rich fudge, and artisanal cheeses, all made at the Creamery. Bushblok, CCF’s innovative, clean-burning fuel log crafted from invasive bush, was also a talking point, drawing interest from both locals and tourists keen to see conservation in action.

The market isn’t just about selling goods; it’s a chance to share stories and connect. Bester from the Creamery and Kundai from the small stock section spent the day talking to visitors, including the Mayor of Otjiwarongo, Gottlieb Shivute, about how every purchase supports conservation and community development. For travellers, the market adds a new dimension to the CCF experience: after a morning at the Centre learning about cheetahs and sustainable farming, guests can head into town to enjoy the vibrant market atmosphere and take home a taste of Namibia.

CCF’s presence at the Farmers Market is a perfect example of why tourism matters. It’s not simply about seeing Namibia’s beauty, but about supporting the people and projects that protect it. As Calum O’Flaherty, Curator of the Model Farm, puts it, “There’s nothing better than a scoop of goat milk ice cream after a day working with livestock and protecting animals from predator conflict. It’s a delicious reward for helping people and cheetahs live together in harmony.”

Guests like the Steckler family leave CCF with more than just memories, they leave inspired. “Our days were filled with cheetahs, dogs, wonderful people, great food, and learning about everything from genetics to Bushblok,” they shared. “We left part of our hearts with the team and animals at CCF.” Through their experiences and their support, visitors help ensure that Namibia’s wildlife and communities can thrive together for generations to come.

Original content: Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘈𝘕 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺.