On the outskirts of Erica, Drenthe, Inge Bergsma-de Vries, her two brothers, her husband, and her father run a modern 18-hectare cucumber farm. Drenthe Growers is not only a true family business but also an example of how to deliver top quality every day while working towards a sustainable future.
"It's a constant balancing act between the here and now and the future."
"The men in our company are primarily focused on cultivation and labor, my father is gradually shifting more and more into a mentor role, and I handle everything related to that: administration, personnel, and the outward focus," says Inge. "And that's a balancing act sometimes: you want to produce now, deliver now, but at the same time, you also have to look ahead. Where will we be in 2040? How do we ensure we can still grow then? That truly requires entrepreneurship."
Making things more sustainable together
Drenthe Growers is part of a regional project called ORTESE: Designing and Implementing a Future-Proof Energy System in the Emmen region. Together with the municipality, province, and other growers, they are working on a local heating network based on solar energy, buffering, and electrification. "The beauty of it is: you're really connecting with your surroundings. We're exploring what's possible together, instead of dwelling on what's not. Because geothermal energy is difficult here, and residual heat is too far away. So we're looking at heat pumps, solar panels, and smart energy hubs. That's really making progress."
Inge Bergsma-de Vries
LED and Courage
The first sustainable steps have already been taken in the greenhouse. The illuminated part of the greenhouse has been fully converted to LED, and a large portion of the SON-T lighting has been removed.
"That was quite a shift for the guys. You really have to learn to grow differently with LED. Less radiant heat, so more temperature control. The variety also responded differently than we were used to. But we're going for it."
Double Screens, Double Benefit
All illuminated greenhouses are equipped with double screens: a light-blocking screen and an energy-saving Luxous screen. "These screens help enormously in maintaining a good climate and limiting energy consumption. Heat retention is especially important with LED. We inspect the installation annually; there are often gains to be made by simply checking for cracks or worn parts."
Green cultivation, step by step
Drenthe Growers is participating in the 100% Green Cultivation pilot. They are working towards completely residue-free cultivation. "We collaborate with FVO (Federation of Dutch Farmers' Organisations) on this, but we're also learning a lot from our organic neighbors," says Inge. "You always start with a resilient, healthy plant. But when things go wrong, it's a struggle: what else can you use? Green solutions are available, but there are still many limitations. Knowledge is crucial, and sometimes it comes from unexpected places."
Time for reflection and preparation
Starting in November, the greenhouses will be empty for six weeks. The team uses this time to clean, repair, and prepare for the next season. "It's always a bit of hard work, but I'll be honest: I'm happy when the plants are back in by Christmas. We'll have done everything we can to start with renewed energy."
