Ús Hôf is a permaculture farm and self-picking garden located in Sibrandabuorren, managed by Bregje and Michel. Operating on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, the farm is dedicated to growing fresh, pesticide-free produce naturally, fostering a direct relationship between growers and consumers.
Members can subscribe annually through a solidarity-based payment system, which allows them to self-pick their weekly share of produce throughout the season, typically from May to December. For those unable to harvest themselves, a vegetable bag service is offered for pickup in Sibrandabuorren, Sneek, or Bolsward. The farm also supplies fresh, unsprayed vegetables to local restaurants and institutions. Ús Hôf champions climate-friendly practices, eschewing artificial fertilizers and promoting soil health. While members are welcome to join volunteer activities, participation in planting and maintenance is not mandatory.
Beyond the self-picking options, Ús Hôf facilitates ‘Voedselcoöperatie Ús Iten,’ a food cooperative where members can order a wide array of other organic products. These include staples like bread, dairy, eggs, and meat, as well as pantry items such as pasta, rice, peanut butter, and tomato sauce. Products are primarily sourced locally or from organic wholesalers, and orders are available for pickup at the farm on Saturdays.
The diverse range of produce available for self-picking (or in prepared bags) includes:
- Vegetables: Andive, eggplant, gherkin, beetroot, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, courgette, green cabbage, chicory, celery root, cucumber, kohlrabi, corn, turnip, pak choi, bell pepper, parsnip, peas, various types of pumpkin, leek, runner beans, red cabbage, red chicory, arugula, various types of lettuce, Swiss chard, green beans, snap beans, spinach, pointed cabbage, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, broad beans, lamb’s lettuce, fennel, white cabbage, and winter purslane.
- Fruit: When available, apples, pears, berries, raspberries, and strawberries are offered.
- Herbs: A wide selection of fresh herbs is also available for harvesting.
What visitors say
Visitors consistently express high satisfaction with this self-picking farm, hailing it as a superb and exemplary model for sustainable agriculture. Many praise it as a wonderful cooperative garden that demonstrates how farming should ideally be done, offering fresh, delicious, and high-quality organic produce cultivated through ecological crop rotation. A significant benefit highlighted is the ability to acquire vegetables for nearly ten months of the year at an exceptionally affordable daily cost of around €2, all while drastically reducing plastic packaging waste. Beyond the excellent produce and sustainable practices, guests enjoy the beautiful garden, the friendly atmosphere fostered by the people involved, and the overall delightful experience, seeing it as a prime example of community-supported agriculture.