This biodynamic farm, located at Zandzoom 72 in Emmen, offers visitors the unique experience of self-picking a wide variety of fresh, seasonal produce through a membership program. The farm emphasizes a natural approach to cultivation, fostering a rich biodiversity to protect crops from pests and diseases using ecological methods.
Members can enjoy harvesting their own vegetables five days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), with the farm providing tools and clear signage to guide the picking process. The selection of self-pickable produce varies with the season but includes an extensive range of items.
Produce available for self-picking:
- Leafy Greens: Endive, leaf mustard, chicory/sugarloaf, New Zealand spinach, radicchio, turnip greens, arugula, Batavia lettuce, oakleaf lettuce, butterhead lettuce, Romaine lettuce, Salanova lettuce, iceberg lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, lamb’s lettuce, winter purslane, and summer purslane.
- Beans: Capuchin peas, snap peas, runner beans, French beans/sliced beans, pole beans, and green beans.
- Root Vegetables: Potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, red and yellow beets, celeriac, parsnips, turnips, radishes, salsify, carrots, root parsley, and yacon.
- Cabbages: Amchoi/Indian mustard greens, broccoli, white cabbage, red cabbage, green cabbage (Savoy/common cabbage), Napa cabbage, pointed cabbage, kohlrabi, bok choy, kale, Tuscan kale (Cavolo Nero), and Brussels sprouts.
- Herbs: Basil, oregano, parsley, and celery herb (likely lovage or strong celery).
- Wild Foraging: Stinging nettle, winter cress, and sorrel.
- Fruiting Vegetables: Zucchini, cucumber, orange pumpkins, green pumpkins, Sweet Dumpling squash, red peppers, tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
- Alliums: Spring onions (also referred to as bunching onions or stengelui), garlic, leeks, shallots, and onions.
- Other: Leaf celery, fennel bulbs, corn, nasturtium (flowers and leaves), and rhubarb.
In addition to the main self-picking area, the farm features a separate Blueberry Garden, which began with blueberries in 2015 and has expanded to include other fruits such as blackberries, tayberries, grapes, medlars, quinces, and apples. While the blueberry season concludes in late August, frozen blueberries are available for purchase from September. It is noted that the Blueberry Garden and flower strips are not part of the general self-picking membership.
The farm, operated by Wouter and Kathinka Kamphuis, also offers vegetable subscription boxes, a farm shop with varying opening hours, and a webshop for ordering fresh produce, dairy, bread, and dry goods for pickup at various locations in North, East, and South Drenthe.