Fewer growers are choosing to cultivate strawberries in open fields, opting instead for substrate-based methods. In Landegem, East Flanders, VRT spoke with a grower who is giving up the traditional method. Patrick and his wife Carine find the work too demanding physically. At 61, Patrick explained, "We decided to stop because working on our knees all day hurts our backs. We need to prioritize our health. After more than 30 years of this work, and with 3 grandchildren now, it's time to spend more time with family. It wasn't an easy decision, but we had to make one."
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