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The Finlays Flower Farm in Naivasha supply Marks and Spencer with top quality flowers in line with our Plan A commitments, thanks to an ethical and environmentally friendly approach to sustainable flower production. Fairtrade-accredited, Finlays don’t just invest in the wellbeing of their human workers!
 
A recent drought in the Naivasha area alerted the management at Finlays that donkeys were being abandoned and left to fend for themselves. With the cooperation of the KSPCA, the company arranged to let the donkeys graze on Kingfisher Farm before realising the potential these creatures held to earn their keep. With a trial flower trailer hitched to two of the donkeys, a successful partnership between Finlay’s and these donkeys began. 
The flowers experienced a gentler ride from the greenhouses to the pack house, preserving their quality and beauty, plus the donkeys enjoyed their work, reporting to their work stations each morning without herding!
As well as providing effective transport for the flowers of Finlays, the donkeys also produce another useful by-product which is invaluable to the scheme; their dung is ideal for use as compost along with the other organic waste on the farm, helping to accomplish high calibre blooms.
With new stables, 20 trained donkey handlers and a trainer, the donkeys of Finlays’ have become a fast part of the team. 12 trailers are now in action on Kingfisher Farm and 4 on Flamingo Farm, resulting in operation of a herd of 40 donkeys – and expanding! A breeding programme is also underway, with one foal joining the happy herd so far.
- Shop all Flowers & Plants (you can filter to view all Fairtrade).
Looking to the future, the farm hopes to phase out tractors entirely, helping the company to reduce carbon emissions while also saving money. A prime example of Plan A in action and a classic case of donkey work!
If you have any questions about the donkeys of Finlays Flower Farms, let us know by leaving a comment below.
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Comments13
On: 31 October 2012 Permalink
What a heartwarming story! I love to support this company.
Using natural resources, humans and nature working together, we compliment and learn from one another!
Well done Finlays farm!
On: 19 October 2012 Permalink
Hi, Just read this wonderful story, the donkeys in the picture look really good for which is great to see.
Keep up the good work.
On: 15 November 2012 Permalink
Hi Karen and Nicolette,
Thanks for the comments!
Finlays supply over 90% of M&S’ Kenyan roses, including long stem rose & short stem roses sold in store. Finlays also supply 100% of the Fairtrade florist roses sold in store and 100% of the Fairtrade bouquets we sell online.
Thanks,
The Stories Team
On: 17 October 2012 Permalink
Hi, just read about Finlays Farm and the donkeys. Great idea, and a great story, keep up the good work. Can we tell which flowers come from Finlays?
On: 12 October 2012 Permalink
Hi,
This is a really good story. Are all your flowers from Finlays Farm and if not how can we tell which ones are. I would really love to show my support by only buying from these producers with the donkeys.
On: 19 August 2012 Permalink
Well done a lovely story. It would be nice if more people could hear about this story. I only found it by chance, having looked at your flowers available to order.
On: 24 July 2012 Permalink
What a wonderful story. Well done to Finlays Farm and M&S for all the good work.
On: 10 July 2012 Permalink
Why were the donkeys needed before they ” earned their keep” ?
Are they well looked after now ?
On: 15 November 2012 Permalink
Hi Avril,
Donkeys play a key role in Kenyan small holder farming and local village life, helping families pull ploughs for crop sowing and harvesting and those without cars use donkeys to transport products and people to markets and other villages where they can pedal their wares.
The donkeys used on the farm at Finlay Flowers have come to the Finlay Flowers Donkey Sanctuary through several avenues. The farm works very closely with the KSPCA ( Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of animals) re-housing unwanted or mistreated donkeys that are looking for a good home. Finlays also help the local community by buying donkeys from families who can no longer afford to care for this lovely animal, be it due to financial reasons or simply because the donkey has grown old and can no longer perform tasks required.
Out of all the donkeys taken in at the Sanctuary only 20% actually go back to work on the farm, the rest are cared for and allowed time to rehabilitate or simply retire in a safe and well cared for environment.
Thanks,
The Stories Team
On: 10 July 2012 Permalink
A great story having made something really positive for these amazing animals out of a situation where they were being abandoned. I wish the farm and it’s connection with Marks and Spencer every success in the future (especially in the safeguarding of the the donkeys).
On: 7 July 2012 Permalink
What a great story. As the owner of three donkeys you don’t need to tell me how useful and intelligent they are! Hopefully the good care you are taking of these donkeys will show others how they should be treated and cared for in order that they can work effectively. Congratulations!
On: 16 May 2012 Permalink
What a lovely story!
Where is Naivasha?
Such a lovely way to carry out Plan A, saving the environment and helping to care for the animals in this way.
On: 1 June 2012 Permalink
Hi Rosie,
We’re glad you think so! Naivasha is in Kenya – just north west of Nairobi.
Regards,
The Stories Team