Oogstland is a regenerative food garden located in Zuidlaren, dedicated to cultivating vegetables, herbs, and small fruits using sustainable practices. The farm operates on no-dig principles, actively working to improve soil health and enhance biodiversity by avoiding pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Its core mission is to connect people with their food, nature, and each other, inspiring local and seasonal eating while reducing packaging waste by having members bring their own bags and crates.
Participation is based on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, where members purchase a “harvest share” at the beginning of the season. This share grants them the right to self-pick a portion of the garden’s bounty from mid-May to mid-December, weather permitting. Members receive a weekly email detailing what’s available to harvest and where to find it, and can visit the garden from sunrise to sunset.
The garden offers a varied selection of produce, including both well-known and lesser-known varieties. Members can expect to pick between 4-10 different types of vegetables each week.
Produce available for self-picking includes:
- Vegetables: Carrots (summer and winter varieties), various types of lettuce (e.g., little gems, red mini cos, lamb’s lettuce, mesclun), beans (green beans, fat beans, broad beans), zucchini (including round), pumpkin, diverse cabbages (white cabbage, pointed cabbage, red cabbage, palm cabbage/cavolo nero, kale, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi), turnips (including turnip greens), radicchio, chioggia beets, endive (including curly endive), parsnip, white beet, winter purslane, celeriac, autumn leek, sweet potatoes, spinach, cylinder beets, bimi, tatsoi, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, leeks, radishes (including icicle radishes), beet mixes, eggplant, chard, arugula, and fennel.
- Small Fruit: Strawberries and stew pears.
- Herbs: General herbs and basil.
The garden plans to expand its offerings by 2026 to include cut flowers, alongside increasing its membership capacity. It encourages a communal approach, where members share in both the abundance and the risks inherent in farming, fostering a transparent and fair relationship between growers and consumers.
What visitors say
Visitors have expressed strong enthusiasm for this self-picking farm, hailing it as a truly wonderful initiative. They particularly appreciate the opportunity to gather fresh vegetables directly from the land. Many have enjoyed their initial harvesting experiences, finding them to be exceptionally rewarding, and frequently comment on the beautiful setting of the farm itself.