They determine together what is grown, pay a contribution and are then allowed to pick up their vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat at the Herenboerderij every week. The idea has been on the table for some time. Now only to find the land and hire a farmer. “The intention is to start with this concept in the spring of 2023.”
The idea of a Herenboerderij started in Boxtel, where the very first farm was founded six years ago. Now there are already 12 active farms, spread all over the Netherlands. These are entirely financed by citizens who jointly own the farm on which one or two hired farmers produce food. They are then employed. But where does that interest come from?
The aim to grow local fruit, potatoes and vegetables and to keep livestock without outside additives is popular. To meet their own food needs in a sustainable way.
And since November 2019, the idea has spread to West Friesland, where six pioneers from Hoorn, Oosterleek and Schellinkhout want to start a farm. All that is left to them now is the land and a farmer who produces food for 200 households. One of those initiators is Anne van de Graaf from Oosterleek. “We now have about 185 households connected to us, so we are almost there. Most come from the Medemblik, Hoorn and Enkhuizen area.”
Seasonal
What makes such a small-scale mixed farm so popular? More and more people are living in cities, far from the countryside and therefore far from food production. “People need to know where the food comes from again,” she explains. So eat vegetables with the season. “It should not be normal that you can still eat green beans in January.”
She therefore hopes for a breakthrough in the search for twenty hectares of land, which has already taken about two years. “Agricultural land in the Netherlands is expensive and scarce,” notes Van de Graaf. “We cannot pay the main prize, but certainly not a ‘consolation prize’ either. However, we must be awarded it.”
But the financing of a farm in West Friesland is already halfway through, she emphasizes. “Stichting Aardpeer is prepared to pre-finance 800,000 euros, half of what we need. Then there must still be a purchase agreement for twenty hectares and the rest, also 800,000 euros, must be raised by the cooperative itself.”
The pioneers hope for farmers with a lot of land who will retire and cannot find a successor. Or denominations with lands that don’t ask for the top prize. “There are still opportunities, but we need time and patience. Fortunately, almost all members can muster the patience.”
It is now mainly a matter of drinking coffee with landowners. They have a chat, then plant a seed, as it were, and invite them to take a look at a revolving Herenboerderij together. “We also try to indicate that something like this can be beautiful. The combination of slowly reducing a ‘normal farmer’ to building a Men’s Farm. Then something will happen in the yard. After all, the farmer can, if they just want to live on the farm.”
Search area
Once the land has been found, the bonds can be issued. They search within a radius of twelve kilometers, between Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Venhuizen. “And as soon as the location is known, it will undoubtedly attract new members,” says Van de Graaf.
“We want to form a community in which it is jointly decided what is grown. That we determine together what we want to eat. But the farm is also a place where workshops can be given, for example about fermenting and canning herbs and vegetables. A farm brings much more, besides food and social connection. Creating social connection is very important.”
Involve schools
Another ambition is to involve schools. For example, if there is a primary school nearby, you can think of vegetable gardens for group pupils, where they can grow vegetables of their choice. The students can then be found in the yard on a weekly basis.
“Pupils who follow an argar education could also work on the farm. Under the supervision of the farmer and their teacher,” explains van de Graaf. “Learning where food comes from. Contributing to awareness, especially now.”