This cooperative farm, Herenboeren Op ’t Lies, is situated on the outskirts of Breda, encompassing approximately 20 hectares. It operates on principles of sustainable, nature-inclusive food production, managed collectively by around 250 member households and a professional farmer. The farm actively avoids chemical pesticides and preventive antibiotics, focusing on regenerative practices that aim to go beyond standard organic requirements and achieve a fully circular system.
Members receive a weekly share of fresh, locally harvested produce. While much of the harvesting is handled by the farmer, members have direct opportunities for self-picking. Visitors to the farm can pick fresh herbs from the dedicated herb garden, various fruits from the orchards, and flowers to create field bouquets from the bloom-rich field edges.
The farm cultivates a diverse range of produce, including vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, fennel, snow peas, and a wide array of other seasonal vegetables. Tunnel greenhouses extend the growing season for summer crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers. The fruit orchards yield apples (of various varieties), pears, cherries, plums, walnuts, stewing pears, quinces, as well as redcurrants, blackcurrants, blackberries, and raspberries. Additionally, the farm raises Sassosilver chickens for eggs, and Berkshire pigs and Hereford cattle for meat, with a strong focus on animal welfare and ecological integration within the farm’s ecosystem.
Membership involves an initial investment and a weekly fee for food packages, contributing to the farm’s operational costs and the farmer’s salary. Potential members are invited to take a guided tour or opt for a four-week trial membership to experience the farm’s offerings.
What visitors say
This cooperative farm consistently receives high praise for its exceptional produce and innovative approach, often aligning with the “Herenboeren” model. Members rave about the delicious, fresh, unsprayed, and seasonal vegetables, as well as eggs, sourced directly from the farm’s own chickens, pigs, cows, and fruit trees.
The concept itself is widely appreciated for its authenticity and quality, with many highlighting the superior taste of the food. Several individuals express great satisfaction in being co-owners or members, often actively participating in tasks such as harvesting and distribution, which underscores a strong sense of community involvement. While the initiative is regarded as excellent, some reviewers lament that there aren’t more similar operations available across the Netherlands. Currently, there are still opportunities for interested individuals to join this thriving cooperative.