Herenboeren Op ’t Lies is a cooperative farm located on the outskirts of Breda, run by approximately 250 member households alongside a professional farmer. Established in 2020, the farm operates on about 20 hectares of leased land at the corner of the Sprundelsebaan and Liesdreef. It is a mixed farm that produces a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, eggs, and, for those who choose, meat. The farm follows regenerative, nature-driven principles, avoiding chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and focuses on building healthy soil and supporting biodiversity. Members are co-owners of the cooperative and receive a share of the weekly harvest.
The produce available to members is determined seasonally and includes a large variety of vegetables (such as carrots, lettuce, fennel, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and potatoes), as well as fruit from the orchard. The orchard contains hundreds of fruit trees, including multiple varieties of apples, pears, cherries, plums, and quinces, along with soft fruits like red and black currants, and brambles such as raspberries and blackberries. Nuts, including hazelnuts and walnuts, are also grown. From the farm’s own animals, members receive eggs weekly (from March 2026 onward) and, a minimum of six times per year, beef and pork from the farm’s herd of Hereford cattle and Berkshire pigs. Members can also pick fresh herbs from the herb garden and, in season, gather flowers from the field margins to make bouquets. The farm operates year-round, with the growing season extending through the use of tunnel greenhouses, which allow for summer vegetables earlier in the year and crops like lettuce well into December.
The weekly harvest distribution for members takes place every Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00. The farm is a cooperative, meaning members collectively decide what is grown and support the farm through an initial investment (€2,000 for a multi-person household, €1,000 for a single-person household) and a monthly contribution (€55.43 per person for a vegetarian share, €88.33 per person for a complete share including meat). Guided tours are offered on the last Saturday of every month at 10:30, and an open day is scheduled for May 10, 2026, from 11:00 to 15:00. A four-week trial subscription is also available.
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.