Jan & Sam

Arenosa

Hi, we are Jan and Sam from Arenosa and we grow organic parsnip and other wonderful delicious vegetables here in the sandy clay in the Dutch polder. Our farm is close to the city of Lelystad and it is amazing to think that this area was covered by the sea less than 60 years ago.

Our farm consists of 70 hectares where we grow parsnip, salsify, Jerusalem artichoke, parsley root, leeks, potatoes and grass clover. These products are grown according to the principles of a 1 – 6 rotation. That means we grow parsley in year one and other products including grass clover in the subsequent five years. The clover not only feeds the soil but also allows it rest. Furthermore, this type of vegetation helps to sequester carbon and helps stimulate soil life.

Apart from growing organic vegetables we also wash, sort and pack the parsnip in two huge halls. The combination of farming and packing is great and it fits us perfectly. We are now also sorting, washing and packing the parsnip of other passionate organic farmers.

Interview with Jan and Sam

How long have you been growing organic vegetables ?

Jan: It all started back in 1979. During that period there was very little practical knowledge os I experimented a lot. Of course during those early years a lot of things went wrong but I learned so much and that knowledge has brought me to where I am today .. that makes me proud !

What makes organic agriculture so special?

Sam: I have only farmed organically so I do not know how to grow with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I guess organic farming means that you have to be creative, care deeply for your crops but also learn to sometimes let go. We try to make our vegetables as unattractive as possible form harmful insects without scaring away the good ones.

Where does the name Arenosa come from?

Jan: It sounds exotic but it is basically Latin for “everything that grows and flourishes on sand”, a great description of what we are doing here.

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soil

Healthy soil is essential for the organic farmer and to ensure the soil stays vibrant and full of life we use a 1:6 rotation. We also regularly plant a special mix of herbs, flowers and clovers which is not only great for the bees and other insects but is also particularly good to build humus and helps build a good soil structure.

biodiversity

This particular region is destined for organic agriculture and that is immediately clear when you see the abundance of birds, insects and mammals in this area. Organic farmers do not fight nature they look for an optimal cooperation with the natural environment

individual

Parsnip is one of the great forgotten vegetables or north-western Europa. Before the potato was brought to Europa, our ancestors ate it as a staple food and it was particularly enjoyed in ancient Rome. It’s high in minerals and vitamins and delicious in soups, mashed with potatoes or celeriac, or roasted in the oven. When you boil them they give off a peculiar smell but the taste is great.

Parsnips are native to Europe and Asia, and are related to carrots, celery and parsley and become sweeter during a period of frost, as the starch is converted to sugar. Parsnips, before harvest, are firm, but when harvested, turn soft, and are best stored in the refrigerator

society

Throughout the year we employ around 15 - 20 people and obviously when it gets busier we extend the team to around 30. Our employees particularly like the fact that they are working both on the farm as well as in our production facility as this offers more variety. When it comes to working conditions etc., we obviously strictly adhere to the Dutch and European legislation

climate

Compared to greenhouse products like tomatoes and cucumbers, we do not use all that much energy for our pumpkins, onions and other crops. Of course we do use energy for storing our vegetables, and we try to be as smart as possible by for example using the rest warmth of the cool cells to heat the production areas.

Numerous international studies have shown that organic arable agriculture binds four times as much Co2 in the soil compared to its non-organic counterpart. Recent studies in The Netherlands confirm the results from a 23 year long field research conducted by the U.S. Rodale Institute concluding that organic arable farming binds far more CO2 than conventional arable farming

water

Generally speaking we receive ample rain in this part of The Netherlands so that is not really an issue. Furthermore, due to the sandy soil and the way we manage it, there is good drainage meaning that our fields do not flood. One of the biggest headaches for the water authorities is that due to conventional farming practices, the rain run-off is often polluted with artificial fertilizers and pesticides polluting the whole water system. Since we do not use these harmful products we are helping to keep the water below and around our fields healthy.

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