Offered: NVM Agricultural & Rural
Business transformation: from cows to horses
From a young age, cattle farmer Martin Elema became addicted to horses. When he turned sixty, he saw his chance: cows out, horses in. The NVM Agricultural and Ruralreal estate agent and construction engineer from AgriPlaza helped him transform his company.
At the end of the 70s, a pyromaniac was active in Noorddijk, on the edge of the city of Groningen. No fewer than nine farms go up in flames. It is a black page in the history of the village, but especially one of the Elema family: their farm is number seven in a row. "Due to the urban expansion of Groningen, we were not allowed to rebuild," says Martin Elema. At the age of nineteen, he and his father restarted the farm in Zoutkamp, about 1980 kilometers away, in 30.
For years, father and son run the company of approximately 70 hectares with about two hundred dairy cows. But Martin also has another passion: horse riding. "When I went to competitions, my father had to milk alone," he recalls. "On my wedding day there were 78 riders lined up at the town hall. A day I will never forget."
From cows to horses
When his father dies in 2009, Martin continues farming with an employee. "But I've always said: if I don't have a successor, I'll stop when I'm sixty. Last year it was time." For Elema it is clear: cows out, horses in. With guidance from Jos Menken, van NVM Agricultural and Ruralreal estate agency AgriPlaza in Tynaarlo, Elema is selling his phosphate rights and half of his land.
With the proceeds, he and Jeffrey Akkerman, a construction engineer at AgriPlaza, are making a plan to convert the farm into a horse farm. The plan is to demolish two characteristic barns, which are in poor condition due to years of use. They will be replaced by new barns in the same style, with space for a riding arena, boxes, stables and a rearing area for the horses. In addition, a second house with shed for Elema's son Jan-Kees will be built in the yard.
Well substantiated
"We first explored the options with the municipality," says construction consultant Akkerman. "You have to substantiate the demolition of characteristic barns in Groningen." A change of destination is then not necessary. "We have decided together with the municipality to make the change of function possible with an extensive environmental permit. In this way we can deal with the construction activities and the change in function in one fell swoop."
The permit has now been issued and construction of the house has already started. The old barns will be demolished in early 2022. The entire plan should be completed in the fall. Elema is very pleased with the settlement and is looking forward to his new challenge as a horse owner. "Trade is also a matter of trust, I think. AgriPlaza has been assisting me well for years. It is always finished, without after-work. This process was also neatly arranged."
Farm well with your real estate too!
Do you also want to farm well with your agricultural and rural real estate? Then choose a NVM Agricultural and Rural real estate agent. Because an NVM estate agent has a great deal of knowledge of the market, a large network in the countryside and is the specialist in purchase and sale, valuation, land and lease matters, expropriation and repurposing of agricultural and rural real estate. In addition, they are aware of the latest legislation and regulations.
