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Hans and Jan Rozendaal

Rozendaal

Hi there ! My name is Hans Rozendaal and together with my brother Jan, we grow a wide range of delicious organic vegetables. Our farm is located in an area called the “Hoekse Waard” a beautiful region to the south of Rotterdam. Our business is a true family business and the history goes back to 1946 when our grandfather bought this land. At that time it was a mixed farm with a few cows, pigs, chickens and arable land. After our granddad passed away at a far too young age, our dad, still in his early twenties, took over the business. He decided to stop with the animals and focus on open field crops.

In 1996 I started my organic farming study and at the same time we started growing our crops according to organic principles. The main reason why I was attracted to this form of agriculture was the broader, more holistic viewpoint as well as the interconnection with nature. Every year, plot by plot, we switched to organic and in 2000 the whole business was officially organic. Through many difficult years the three of us got to grips with organic farming. It was a true team effort and a success due to our Dad’s experience combined with Jan’s technical expertise and my theoretical and commercial knowledge. Today, using a broad crop rotation system, we grow vegetables that match with the soil including, green celery, zucchini (green and yellow), red and white cabbage, parsnip, leek and grass / clover to help enhance the soil.

After all these years we can confirm what every organic farmer says’ “if you are good for the soil, the soil will be good for you”.

N&M: How do you plan your crops

Hans: When planning what to grow we try to make sure that the work load is evenly spread throughout the four seasons. In the spring for example, we harvest the first zucchini and plant other crops. In the summer we have celery to harvest and have to take care of the weeds. In the autumn we harvest products with a long shelf life including potatoes, celeriac, cabbage. In the winter we harvest the parsnip.

N&M: How do you see your future?

Well, we do not have plans to become a large scale business. We want to keep our family farm in tact by continuing to work using environmentally friendly, natural organic farming practices. Our goal is to sell these products as locally as possible. We hope and expect to diversify even more and collaborate with other organic farmers in the region.

N&M: Can you tell us something about your web store?

The web store “Biologisch Goed” is an initiative set up by four organic farmers in the south of Holland including Nature & More grower Rob van Paassen. We set up this cooperative in 2006 and have invested in a cool cell (holding up to 280 mt) and a special packing area.

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soil

When, in 1996 we started farming organically there was not as much knowledge available as there is now. That is why we worked through trial and error or as we say in Holland by falling and getting back up. After all these years we can confirm what every organic farmer says’ “if you are good for the soil, the soil will be good for you”

To keep our soil healthy and full of life we, as many other organic farmers, work with an extensive crop rotation system. Every year we have a different crop on a certain plot of land. This way you ensure that your soil is rested and stays full of life so that it is subsequently less prone to illnesses and plagues. We feed the soil by using compost and organic animal manure and of course through our crop rotation system.

One important element of the crop rotation is that we grow grass / clover. This crop is important because it feeds the soil but also sequesters nitrogen. The grass clover is sold as feed for animals.

biodiversity

Biodiversity is a very important facet of what we do. We stimulate biodiversity by dedicating part of our land to nature. One example is that we ensure trees and natural hedges grow along the banks of the ditches. We also hang up special bird houses including an owl and falcon house. These birds prey on mice and rats.

The flower and hedges are also well loved by insects including lady birds and parasite wasps. These wasps lay their eggs in the body of caterpillars which ultimately kills them. It sounds a bit like a horror movie but it means that when we have a caterpillar problem in our cabbages, the wasps help us out !

To keep our soil healthy and full of life we, as many other organic farmers, work with an extensive crop rotation system. Every year we have a different crop on a certain plot of land. This way you ensure that your soil is rested and stays full of life so that it is subsequently less prone to illnesses and plagues. We feed the soil by using compost and organic animal manure and of course through our crop rotation system.

One important element of the crop rotation is that we grow grass / clover. This crop is important because it feeds the soil but also sequesters nitrogen. The grass clover is sold as feed for animals.

society

To keep our soil healthy and full of life we, as many other organic farmers, work with an extensive crop rotation system. Every year we have a different crop on a certain plot of land. This way you ensure that your soil is rested and stays full of life so that it is subsequently less prone to illnesses and plagues. We feed the soil by using compost and organic animal manure and of course through our crop rotation system.

One important element of the crop rotation is that we grow grass / clover. This crop is important because it feeds the soil but also sequesters nitrogen. The grass clover is sold as feed for animals.

Although we have modern machinery, working on the farm always means hand labour for example when harvesting the different vegetables.

Luckily we do not have to do this just with the two us since we employ two part timers and also during peak periods school kids .. obviously only during the holidays and in the weekends! To be honest these are always hectic but fun times!

We want to keep our family farm in tact by continuing to work using environmentally friendly, natural organic farming practices. Our goal is to sell these products as locally as possible. We hope and expect to diversify even more and collaborate with other organic farmers in the region.

climate

When it comes to sustainable energy, we plan to install solar panels on the roof of our barn. However, since this costs a lot of money we will be doing this in the coming years.

The organic method is naturally better for the quality of air. By not using chemicals we decrease pollution and our emission of CO2.

water

When, in 1996 we started farming organically there was not as much knowledge available as there is now. That is why we worked through trial and error or as we say in Holland by falling and getting back up. After all these years we can confirm what every organic farmer says’ “if you are good for the soil, the soil will be good for you”

To keep our soil healthy and full of life we, as many other organic farmers, work with an extensive crop rotation system. Every year we have a different crop on a certain plot of land. This way you ensure that your soil is rested and stays full of life so that it is subsequently less prone to illnesses and plagues. We feed the soil by using compost and organic animal manure and of course through our crop rotation system.

One important element of the crop rotation is that we grow grass / clover. This crop is important because it feeds the soil but also sequesters nitrogen. The grass clover is sold as feed for animals.

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