What's the latest in sustainable energy? What do you need to know about nitrogen? How does light behave above plants? And what is the importance of collaboration in horticulture? These topics, among others, are on the agenda of the Tuinbouw Jongeren Oostland, a Dutch networking organization that brings together young horticulture professionals. On average, 40 to 50 young people between the ages of 16 and 35 are attending the meetings, that invariably are concluded with drinks. "We want to share information in a pleasant way," says Pieter Ammerlaan, who just became the chairman of the club. He succeeds Stefan Hendriks (Plant Company), who in recent years saw the organization grow to 150 members.
Pieter Ammerlaan at the HortiContact recently
Last year's meeting at Anthura, where the question ‘Cooperation ... costs a lot, but what will it bring me?’ was central
Contraction vs growth
The growth of the networking organization does not correspond at all to the contraction that horticulture as a whole has to deal with. This also manifests itself in the Tuinbouw Jongeren club: where in the past mainly growers' sons attended the evenings, now the organization mostly consists of young people who follow a horticultural training or who work in supply. Also Pieter himself, born to a grower's family, is now working at greenhouse construction company Havecon after an education at the HAS University of Applied Sciences and a master's at Harper Adams University in England. "There are simply fewer horticultural businesses, which means also fewer young growers," he explains. "We see that the number of members from the related sectors continues to grow."
For the meetings it sometimes does mean an adjustment - because the program must be accessible to everyone. Yet the core is retained: Half of the meetings take place at a horticultural company, the other half at a supplier - provided that it is interesting for the young people. More and more companies see the organization as a great opportunity to present themselves to young people who are at the start of their careers. "We are really trying to focus on content and not on a sales pitch," says Pieter. “We like to visit suppliers, but then they have to tell a substantive story. We want to discuss practical matters."
They do this by keeping the meetings interesting for the members themselves and also to attract potential new members from outside. "We also see that more young people are needed in the sector and that it ultimately is about the future of horticulture as a whole," says Pieter. “Growth of Horticulture Youth is not a goal in itself, but we certainly want to show that horticulture is not a boring, old industry. Young people are always welcome to come and attend an evening. And membership is free in the first year, thanks to sponsor Rabobank."
The seven-member board - including Stefan Hendriks and excluding Niels Jacobs, who also joined recently.
Content plus
For the coming years, there is certainly enough on the agenda. The monthly meetings, the yearbook and the annual top speaker evening that is organized together with the Tuinbouw Jongeren Westland - a collaboration that, according to both organizations, can even be improved further. "There might have been friction between Oostland and Westland in the past, but that is really no longer the case," says Pieter. "The horticulture industry is a lot bigger than just Oostland and Westland, and we have to deal with the same things." And then there’s, of course, the annual trip: last year Poland was on the agenda, and the final destination of this year is still unknown, but there is a lot of brainstorming about this going on within the board.
In terms of content, the club is doing fine, but of course that is not the only thing that matters. Each meeting ends with a drink that lasts at least as long as the meeting. Last year, after visiting companies in Poland for two days, the trip was concluded with a surprise visit to the shooting range - and of course also with a night out. "Yes," says Pieter, "after all, the future of horticulture should be fun too."
Last year’s trip to Poland with 30 members attending.
For more information:
Tuinbouwjongeren Oostland
tuinbouwtoekomst.nl