Maatschap van Buuren (Landgoed velhorst)

About Maatschap van Buuren (Landgoed velhorst)

Zenderense Es is a Dutch agricultural company based around the Deldeneresch in Ambt-Delden, where Winny and Arjen van Buuren cultivate crops in a nature-inclusive way. The company presents itself as a practical example of sustainable farming, with a focus on healthy soil, healthy food, and a viable earning model for current and future generations.

Its work combines biological and nature-inclusive agriculture with local value creation. Zenderense Es says it grows crops without artificial fertilisers or crop protection chemicals, processes them into regional products, and sells them directly to consumers and local businesses through a short supply chain.

Core Values

• Healthy soil: The company sees soil care as the foundation of resilient farming and future food production.
• Healthy food: Its production approach is aimed at delivering food that is grown sustainably and with respect for natural systems.
• Biodiversity: Zenderense Es explicitly works to increase biodiversity through measures such as strip cropping, mixed cropping, and field margins.
• Future generations: The company frames its mission around long-term ecological, economic, and social sustainability.
• Connection and education: It seeks to involve and inspire citizens, fellow farmers, students, and society through visits, research, and knowledge sharing.

Unique Aspects

• Nature-inclusive example farm: Zenderense Es positions itself as a demonstration and example business for sustainable agriculture in the Netherlands.
• Short-chain local model: The company combines cultivation, processing, and direct local sales to build a stronger financial position and keep value closer to the farm.
• Research and experimentation: It is involved in research on strip cropping and the link between technology and ecology, including collaboration with Wageningen University & Research on the CropMix project.
• Educational and social role: Members can join seasonal walks and meetings, and the company also hosts lectures, demonstrations, and internships for students and fellow farmers.
• Land stewardship on Twickel territory: Zenderense Es manages land on the Deldeneresch in cooperation with Stichting Twickel, which it describes as a special responsibility and privilege.