Appreciation for entrepreneurs who strengthen the bond between producer and consumer
On the penultimate day of the Week of Our Food, Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen presented the Drenthe Value Rings. This year, the decoration went to Geert Lindenhols, the team behind BoerenTrots Westerveld, and Gert-Jan and Rick Nijhoff.
‘These people all contribute in their own way to strengthening the bond between producer and consumer,’ says Deputy Meeuwissen. ‘Through innovation, a combination of hospitality and agriculture, or by organizing beautiful activities for a wide audience. With the presentation of the Value Ring, we show that we support these kinds of initiatives.’
Nomination round in the spring
This year, the province of Drenthe organized a nomination round for the first time. Until July 15, 2025, people could submit a nomination for someone or an organization that, in their opinion, is making an above-average effort to tell the story of our food. Over 30 nominations were received from which the decorated individuals were chosen.
More than just food
During the Week of Our Food, it is about more than just food. It is also about the stories, the people, and the connections that food enables. Next year, the national opening of the Week of Our Food will take place in Drenthe. ‘Drenthe is more than a traditional agricultural region. We are proud of the diverse entrepreneurs in our province who work in the agrifood sector. The Week of Our Food provides a platform for entrepreneurs, and we show how local food, recreation, health, and economy strengthen each other,’ emphasizes the deputy.
Geert Lindenhols, BoerenTrots Westerveld, and ’t Nije Hoff
This year, the Value Rings were awarded to Geert Lindenhols, the team behind BoerenTrots Westerveld, and Gert-Jan and Rick Nijhoff from Stadsboerderij ’t Nije Hoff.
Geert Lindenhols is an innovative arable farmer and initiator behind ‘Geert’s Best’, focused on locally produced food. He develops his own products from field beans and rapeseed and processes them in his own production space. With initiatives like the Fruit Press Day, cooking on the farm, and collaborations with education and research, he brings agriculture and consumers closer together. Geert manages logistics and sales mostly himself and tells visitors the story from ‘field to plate’. He is also active within ‘Drenthe Boert Bewust’ and the national organization ‘Protein Farmers of the Netherlands’.
BoerenTrots Westerveld is a group of passionate farmers who actively involve residents of the municipality of Westerveld in farm life. They want to show where food and flowers come from and how they are produced. Their activities, such as illuminated tractor tours, farmer bike rides, the Dwingeloo entrepreneur fair, Harvest Day in Lhee, Farmers BBQ, and the Mayors breakfast, bring farmers and citizens together in a positive and open manner.
The brothers Gert-Jan and Rick Nijhoff run Stadsboerderij ’t Nije Hoff in Emmen: a modern dairy farm with a tea house and hospitality branch. Their business, within walking distance of residential areas, serves as a meeting place between farmer and citizen. With their Jersey cows, milking robots, and future plans for a cheese factory, they tell visitors the story of dairy production ‘from grass blade to cheese’. They combine innovation with hospitality and contribute to greater understanding of the agricultural sector.
