‘Every week I wait for the most beautiful traffic jam of the Netherlands’

On her way to Eefje's farm store, Franca stands with her bike in front of a cow traffic jam. “That happens to me a couple of times a week, and every time it's a joy to watch the cows go by. Isn't it special, you don't see that often in other places! What I also admire so much is the interaction between Eefje's farm and the environment and how she keeps this nature reserve in mind.”

There are 60 cows ready to cross the road, a line from the pasture to the road. Eefje: “Really a traffic jam indeed! Early in the morning they go to the meadow. In the afternoon we pick them up again and they are milked. We do this from mid-April to early November, weather permitting. Perhaps these are the most photographed cows in the country. Especially in high season, there are many tourists here on bicycles. The other day someone said: you only see something like this in Austria, don't you? ABut apparently also at the Veluwe!”

“We get a lot of nice reactions to the passing cows” Eefje says. “As a farmer and Ambassador of the Countryside, I like to show how we treat our animals as well as the landscape here. People are often pleasantly surprised that farming is clearly more than just producing milk. We see ourselves as custodians of the landscape and are proud of the way we fulfill our role.”

“The cows graze outside as much as possible, in meadows bordered by woods and wooded banks. Besides grass, there are all kinds of herbs on the menu, such as clovers and plantain. These grow naturally here. The cows can choose what they graze, which makes for varied vegetation. Some parts of the land and the grass along the creek we mow only occasionally, so that bees, butterflies and other insects have a safer place.”

“Certain areas along the forest edges we deliberately do not fertilise. That way wild species of grasses and herbs get more chance. Our farm is in the middle of the woods, with bits of meadows in between. This is pleasant for the cows; they always find a cool spot in the shade. The forest is also a shelter for other animals. Like deer, which regularly walk in our meadows with the safe cover of the forest nearby. Sometimes they then eat the grass before the cows can do so.”

“We have 32 different meadows surrounded by forest edges. These varied ecosystems are home to all kinds of animals. Deer, red deer and also badgers, for example. We try to preserve this landscape with its colorful animal community by smart mowing and strategically grazing the cows. Around our corn field we have created a flower border for the insects. And see all those sunflowers? The birds eat the seeds from the spent flowers in winter.”

“We also keep bees. They are crucial for pollination, also in our own fruit orchard. In our farm store you can find the honey and dairy, cheese, meat and eggs. This way people can learn about our products and explore our farmyard. We also organise tours and work with schools. And there is a sign explaining our sustainability initiatives at the farm. So I invite everyone to take a look and experience how we farm in this beautiful piece of nature.”