Which farm is innovative, future-oriented and strong enough to pass on to the next generation? Not through big words, but by doing the job well every day. Tomorrow it will become clear which agricultural company can call itself The Strongest Farm in the Netherlands. And this year two Drenthe companies have been nominated.
A strong farm is not just about financial results, but about the total picture: soil, company, family, environment and society. Of the three nominees, two come from Drenthe this year: Kringloopbedrijf Nieuw Altinge in Andere and Melkveehouderij Brouwer/Melktap Nijeveen in Nijeveen.
Both companies have their own unique location that makes business operations challenging. In Andere, the company is located in a Natura 2000 area and in a water extraction area. In Nijeveen, the yard is located in the middle of the village, with a new residential area starting directly behind the company.
“Our social involvement is really our biggest theme. Because we are in the middle of the village, we do this not only by selling products, but also by telling the story. For example, by teaching children,” says Jan Brouwer of Melkveehouderij Brouwer/Melktap Nijeveen.
Others also constantly look to the future. Geertje Enting of Kringloopbedrijf Nieuw Altinge: “We are a company with dairy cattle and arable farming. We are on the corner of the Drentse Aa, but also on the edge of a village with a number of other farmers. We all have to look at how we will do things in the future.”
The winner will win an agricultural trip abroad tomorrow. But the nomination alone feels like recognition for the sector, says Enting: “I think it is already very strong that we are at the top with two people from Drenthe and we really do that together.”