US Office: The US office is located in Needham, MA, (just outside Boston,) and headed by Dror Shalita (in the photo, learning the business) who handles all US operations. In the US office we keep some inventory of ostrich leather, primarily for the small leather shop. Larger orders will be taken at the US office, and shipped directly from South Africa, cutting your costs further. Finished goods are custom made to your order, and will be shipped to the US once done.     Contact information: Far out Sports and Leather 60 Nardone Rd. Needham, MA, 02492, USA tel/fax: 781-400-1054       South African operations:
	Hi, I am Richard Mollenze, owner of Bakenskraal ostrich farm, and I raise the finest ostriches in the world. Welcome to my farm!
	The town of Oudtshoorn is located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, globally known as the "Ostrich Capital" of the world. It is also the main town in the Klein Karoo sub-region. This region supplies about 70% of all ostrich products to the world markets. Some 5 minutes drive to the south of Oudtshoorn, nestling in the fertile Elephants River valley, lies the Production Farm, Bakenskraal, which was surveyed and proclaimed in 1843. Farming started at Bakenskraal in 1892, and to this day, it maintains its global position as one of the 10 largest, independent producers of Ostrich Products: from the Breeding, Hatching and Rearing of the Chicks to Adulthood, and Market Ready for Slaughter, but it does not end here.
	The activities of Bakenskraal also include the production of Ostrich Leather Products for the export market. Furthermore Bakenskraal is also renowned for its Holstein Stud. Some 100 cows are milked every day and a number of Dairy Products including Cheeses are produced. Bakenskraal is rich in its history. The current British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth the 2nd , as a young lady and part of the British Royal Family contingent, visited Bakenskraal in 1947 . They enjoyed tea and scones at the main homestead, a prime example of an "Ostrich Feather Palace", circa 1895. This homestead is occupied by the owners, and during 1999/2000 underwent a restoration to its former glory.
	Bakenskraal boasts exceptional infrastructure, sturdy fences from uncountable camps for the animals and a wide array of internal roads make it possible to visit all corners of the property by vehicle. Transport is further enhanced by its own railway siding and ease of access to the national road network. Bakenskraal has the only Sandpit and supplies the town with building concrete, river and plaster sand and crushed stone. Bakenskraal has sufficient water supply from a large number of boreholes. It also has the use of the water Canal System emanating from the Kammanassie Dam. The Elephant River, the Klipriver and Crocodile River also flow through the farm. Electricity is drawn from the national Eskom supply. The farm-office at Bakenskraal possesses all modern communication devices such as telephone, fax and internet / E-mail. The owners of Bakenskraal are well aware of their socio-economic responsibility. They provide, amongst other things, sturdy brick homes with electrical power supply and running water to all its workers. The owners are very committed to community development and have had up to 200 community self help projects running at the same time. The latest project is the Farm Stall / Curio Shop which promotes farm products i.e. Ostrich Skins, Ostrich Eggs, etc. to which value is added by previously unemployed.
ostrich skin in tanning process.	Skins are graded at the tannery.