'Show the consumer what we do'

Tulips and seed potatoes, they form an ideal combination at Siem and Sandra Munster's farm in Slootdorp. Whether it concerns the development of knowledge or the spreading of risks and labour, the 2 crops reinforce each other. However, entrepreneurs also see challenges. "The potato sector can learn a lot from tulip marketing."

More than 6.000 visitors from home and abroad report to Kwekerij Siem Munster every spring. They only want one thing: to see tulips, and preferably as many as possible. In a period of 1 weeks, the coaches come and go. Sandra Munster therefore launched Tulpentocht.nl 6 years ago. What she likes to do, working with people, comes together with her husband Siem's ​​passion: growing tulips and seed potatoes. 

The last ones roll over the sorting machine in large numbers when we visit the company in mid-November. It's about the Spunta, that's how we learn when Siem and Sandra show their pride. The fact that Siem is there is actually not a good sign, because not all bulbs are in the ground yet. We are eagerly waiting for a few dry days. "Normally, all tulip bulbs are planted in October," says Siem. "In November, the focus is on sorting and delivering the seed. In addition, we are busy planting the second half of the 7 million tulips that we forge in winter."

Potatoes early
During the rest of the year, the activities surrounding the main crops also follow each other nicely, creating a year-round work film at Kwekerij Siem Munster. Due to the wet autumn, it is now a bit of a puzzle. "We hope to have the bulbs in before Christmas," Siem says with a laugh, but with a serious undertone. He expects the extremely wet conditions in the planting season to be reflected in the yield. "Some of the tulips were planted early, on the heavier plots, and they received a lot of water. The rest still have to go into the ground, there is a long period in between."

On the other hand, it is actually favorable for arable crops this year. While many growers struggle to harvest their potatoes during these months, Siem already had his seed potatoes in before the heavy rainfall. "We are always early with that. That may cost us a few kilos of yield, but that does not outweigh the advantage in terms of labor planning. In September and October we have our hands full planting bulbs outside and planting them for the forcing."

Partridges on land
In addition to seed potatoes and tulips, they grow a number of crops that contribute to a healthy crop rotation: grass seed, winter wheat and sometimes sugar beet. In addition, part of the acreage has been set up as natural fields to promote biodiversity and bird populations. "We see that sustainable production is becoming increasingly important and we want to contribute to that," says Sandra. "For example, we grow alfalfa with strips of herb-rich mixes specifically for birds in between. The effect? ​​Last year a group of partridges lived on our land and that is quite unique," says Sandra enthusiastically. "In addition, the low-yielding crops give the soil extra rest," Siem continues. "That ensures a better soil structure."

Other sustainable initiatives of Kwekerij Siem Munster are the field edges that function as cultivation-free zones, the large amount of solar panels on the roof and the recycling of waste material. "The bulbs and leaf remnants of the forcing tulips go to a biodigester. The potting soil and sand are also reused. In fact, everything that leaves the company here is given a function." The entrepreneurs tell it as if it is the most normal thing in the world, part of their profession.

And yet there is also some sensitivity when we talk about 'practice the profession'. "As a farmer, you want to be able to produce a good product. Unfortunately, that is no longer self-evident: the permits, certifications, audits and administrative red tape that go with it. Nothing is linked, so as a sector we do too much with the wrong things. "No longer with what we have to do: farmers. The stretch is completely gone, so yes, we fully support the farmer's protests. The nitrogen crisis is 'only' the last straw."

Farm Fresh Market
It strengthens Siem and Sandra in their conviction: "We have to show the consumer what we do." The excursions are an example of this, but also the motorhome pitches that they have set up and the 'Boerenversmarkt' that they have set up together with other entrepreneurs. Sandra: "We want to put the sector in a positive light and do so based on a passion to tell our story." The entrepreneur has no doubts that there is a need for this. "People want to know: who is the man who grows my cauliflower? Our region, the Wieringermeer, is known for the high-quality seed potatoes that are grown there and that are sent to Africa in bags. Hardly anyone knows that. You can buy local chips at the Boerenversmarkt. food."

According to Siem, the potato sector can learn a lot from the tulip industry in that regard. "As flower producers, we annually contribute a percentage of our proceeds to Tulip Promotion Netherlands. With that budget, the annual tulip day on Dam Square in Amsterdam is organized and promotion during the Grüne Woche and skating events. A joint pot for marketing around potatoes. would be good. The growers' collective that is affiliated with HZPC could be used for that, for example." Sandra adds: "It is also important to continue to invest in local initiatives, such as open days. The consumer needs to be closer to the farmer. There is an opportunity for the sector to show what we do and how we doing it."

Jeanette Pennings

Jeannet has her roots in the flower bulb sector and she grew up on an agricultural company in the northern part of North Holland. As a generalist she reports for Boerenbusiness across all sectors. She is also exploring the possibilities of sponsored advertising.

j.pennings@boerenbusiness. Nl

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