As of January 1, 2024, Mariska and Priscilla Haverkamp will solely own the Haverkamp-Ros cultivation company in the Netherlands. The sisters are jointly committed to the challenge of growing the best possible strawberries with the least possible cost and environmental impact. The switch to LED lighting will help, though the growers are making other changes, too.
The last ripe Malling Centenary strawberries were harvested in early December. They also cultivate the Inspire, Arabella, and Elsanta varieties.
LED
During a visit to the farm in early December, the LED lights were not on yet. Nor do the growers have a winter crop growing under lights. The LED lighting they have invested in serves as stretching lights in the spring. "We had incandescent lamps, but they were genuinely reaching their end," begins Mariska. They quickly opted for LED as a replacement, a choice reinforced by visits to other growers. "Other growers have had positive experiences, and the value for money also convinced us."
Last spring, they tested FloriLED's LED lights in half of one of their three greenhouses. That worked well. "There was no difference in the crop," Mariska points out. That is not what they want, either. There was, however, a difference in energy use, which works out well for the growers since they are at their power connection's maximum. The move to LED lights gives them some wiggle room again. They intend to have FloriLED LED lamps in all greenhouses before the end of the year.
The red arrow points to an old stretching light, the green to a new one.
Sisters
The transition to LED is not the only change. As mentioned, the sisters are taking over the company from their parents. That was a long time coming, but there was also a time when the sisters were not involved in the cultivation company. Mariska worked in healthcare for many years before returning to the family business nine years ago. Priscilla did the same four years ago after working as a hairdresser. Smiling, they reveal that, as kids, they disliked picking strawberries.
Now that they will soon be owners, they do not necessarily intend doing that. They have always helped during busy times, but the two are taking over all sorts of operational tasks. Priscilla is, for example, getting her sprayer's license and will focus on managing staff and transportation. Mariska, in turn, will deal with administration and audits like for British Tesco, whom they supplied through The Greenery this year. She will also see to technical matters such as climate, water, and fertilization.
"We learned the ins and outs at an early age," says Mariska. "And that you have little free time," Priscilla adds, laughing. They can count on their parents' experience next year. "It's amazing how quickly our father can see what's going on," Priscilla says proudly. "He knows there's a leaking sprinkler or a crack in a window as soon as he steps into the greenhouse." A cultivation supervisor also visits the farm regularly. Mariska: "We accompany him now to learn a lot."
Priscilla and Mariska.
Solar panels and automation
The sisters are well aware of the challenges facing today's growers. Energy and labor are two of them. The company made a significant investment a few years ago on the labor front. For three years, they have had residential units housing migrant workers adjacent to the greenhouses.
In the spring peak, the growers work with 25 to 30 people. One challenge is that large companies in other sectors in the area attract these workers, too. By cultivating everbearers next year, the sisters hope to offer their employees improved year-round employment.
Energy is another challenge. That is where the growers are taking steps. The first important one is the move to LED for control light. "Lighting is our biggest power consumer," Mariska explains, also from the residential units. Another vital change is in the energy contract. The current one expires at the end of the year. Anyone who has been paying any attention lately understands that with that, strawberry growers' energy rates will rise on January 1.
The greenhouse looks like this when the Florida E27 LED lights are switched on.
The strawberry growers do not have a CHP. They get power from the grid. They want to build a roughly 200-strong solar panel field next to the greenhouse. Returning the generated electricity, however, is not possible. "That's why we're considering possibilities to do something with that, like storing it in a battery. Reusing that electricity later for the LED lights would be ideal," Mariska concludes.
There are other non-power plans, too. The sisters think it would be great fun to open a farm store at the greenhouse and do something with strawberry tourism. Again, the first step will be taken next year with the arrival of some vending machines.
A FloriLED E27 LED light.
For more information:
Mts. Haverkamp-Ros
4 Zeggeweg
4731 SH, Oudenbosch, NL
Email: [email protected]
FloriLED
59 Pater Street
5331 EB, Kerkdriel, NL
Email: [email protected]
www.floriled.nl