The story of Bio Brass
In our country's youngest province, you get all the space you need as an entrepreneur to grow. To pursue your dreams. The bottom of the former Zuiderzee is bursting with entrepreneurial spirit. Flevoland is clearly different. You see it and you feel it.
Crop rotation
Peace, space and variety in agriculture. That combination forms the foundation of Bio Brass. This Flevoland company grows specific crops on around 250 hectares of land in a whole of some 2,000 hectares, spread across Almere, Dronten, Lelystad and Zeewolde. "We grow all kinds of things. From lettuce and beans to beets, cauliflower and parsnips. All our vegetables are divided into seven groups and can only be grown on the same piece of land once every seven years. By rotating the crops, we prevent soil depletion," says managing director and co-owner Gerjan Snippe.
The four owners of Bio Brass all have their own speciality in crop rotation. Snippe, for example, knows all about cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce varieties and their corresponding markets. "We complement each other perfectly," Snippe says enthusiastically. "Together, we make organic crops more efficient and available to customers than we would individually."
Different soil types
Bio Brass has been growing and thriving in the polder since 2007. "Flevoland has very good agricultural land," says Snippe. "At the bottom of the Zuiderzee, fertile silt and organic matter have been deposited for thousands of years. We still benefit from that today. Thanks to Flevoland's diverse soil types, you can harvest both early and late in the season. And the wind, which is almost always present, ensures that plant diseases have less chance."
Bio Brass alternates rest crops and energy-demanding crops every year. "Rest crops like grass clover and peas take nitrogen from the air and fix it in the soil," Snippe explains. "This makes the soil nice and fertile. This is how we prepare the fields for vegetables that demand a lot of energy from the soil, such as cauliflower, broccoli, beets and potatoes. We also alternate between vegetables growing above and below ground. After seven years, the cycle starts again."
The big advantage of this method of cultivation is that Bio Brass does not need artificial fertilisers and other chemicals. Snippe: "This reduces the burden on the environment and meets consumer demands. Because we all want good and tasty food, while preserving a beautiful living environment.
Positive attitude Flevoland municipalities
Snippe is delighted with the positive and cooperative attitude of Flevoland's municipalities. When Bio Brass conceived the plan to build housing for employees close to the farms and fields, they could count on the support of the municipality of Zeewolde. "You notice that people live here with an entrepreneurial spirit. They are open to new ideas and a different approach. Flevoland really thinks along with entrepreneurs."
Buy free farmland
Climate change is making it increasingly difficult to grow vegetables. Nevertheless, Snippe is confident about the future. "We cannot prevent climate change in the short term. But we can take good care of our farmland so that it is more resistant to drought and flooding. With organic farming, this is the basis. It would be nice if more farmers could apply it in their business. If we, as a society, buy farmland freely and thereby reduce farmers' financial land costs, they can be guided even more by their hearts when choosing crops. If they grow what is best for the soil, future generations can also enjoy tasty vegetables."
