Wageningen University & research | FUTURE FARMING
‘The planet must produce more food in the next four decades than all farmers have harvested in
the past 8000 years'.
That is because by 2050 the earth needs to accommodate as many as 10 billion people, an increase compared to the current 7.5 billion. If there is no huge increase in the agricultural yield, coupled with huge reductions in the use of water and fossil fuels, a billion or more people will suffer from hunger.
By investing more in research areas like LED lighting and climate controle, Dutch farms - including greenhouses
can grow crops in any weather. In fact, The Netherlands, is the second largest exporter of food as measured in value, second only to the US, which is 270 times its size.
Source: Wageningen University & Research
THE HORSE BUTCHER | a disappearing professioN
'A brown horse stands restless in the gray trailer'
At the back of Jan van de Veen's slaughterhouse, in the town center of Nijkerk,
there are puddles of water mixed with blood.
A sawing sound is heard from behind large steel doors.
For Jan van de Veen, horse slaughterer for more than 30 years, it is routine.
Friday, slaughter day.
He is the only one in the Netherlands who slaughters every week.
Horse meat does not fit our culture. An average Dutch person does not eat it.
The horse is seen as a pet and is not bred for consumption.
Too bad because the meat is actually very healthy.
A traditional method of slaughter, small-scale and with respect for the animal.
All wishes of the conscious current consumer.
'The shot still sounds when the brown mare collapses ...'
The BICYCLE SPECIALIST | het rijwiel atelier
"On my way to the Open Days of the Rijksacademie I cycle through the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat in Amsterdam.
I see a man with a blue dustcoat, glasses and sooty hands stepping on his bike and feel a sense of sentiment.
In the old days there were plenty of craftsmen around here.
On the corner of the Jodenbreestraat, the blue dustcoat takes me in.
"You have a nice stroke in your rear wheel," he says.
He turns out to be a bicycle repairer, based in the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 30.
We step off and stand on the sidewalk.
I tell him that I went to the supplier of my bicycle, and still saving for the repair that is estimated at
300 to 400 euros. "Come visit me later," he says and he sends me a text message with the opening hours.
I cycle past him on the way back. The bike is ready the next day. For less than half the price."
The story from a client outlines exactly who Theo is.
A bicycle specialist pur sang with knowledge and repairs the old with the old because he understands his job
and doesn't want to unnecessary waste money.
This serie gives a look inside the bicycle workshop of Theo de Rijwielspecialist with a capital 'R'.
This reportage is part of 'How craft connects' about the trades in the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstaart in Amsterdam.
ARCHIE | METALWORK
ARCHIE was founded in 1992 and is located in the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat in Amsterdam.
Through years of experience with old and new metal techniques, and the extensive machinery, ARCHIE is
not the classic blacksmith. Metal designers work on the cutting edge of architecture, design and art.
Small or big; a detail, a bell plate or a movable piece of furniture or staircase in any form whatsoever,
"Not possible ..." does not appear in the ARCHIE dictionary.
This and the constructive way of thinking about solutions in order to realize a design or idea makes it for his customers so pleasant to work with ARCHIE. If it is not possible to realize the demand with something standard available then a prototype is made in order to finally be able to produce what was conceived.
The craftsmanship, the knowledge and experience of ARCHIE delivers beautiful products.
Every 'product' is finished in detail.
Jaques Minten is the driving force behind ARCHIE.
I approached him with the question whether I could make a reportage of him and his work.
While talking, the idea arose of reporting all available crafts in the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat including interviews. Jaques in all his hospitality now feels like a friend I have known for years.
This reportage is part of 'How craft connects' about the trades in the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstaart in Amsterdam
TRIFLOR | Tulip PRODUCTION
Triflor is a family company started in 1965. Since then it has been successfully developed by the second and third family generations into a comprehensive tulip company. From breeding and growing to export and forcing.
The process from bulb to flower takes one and a half years. The trial begins in September.
Then the tulip bulbs are prepared for the field. The bulbs are planted in October and November.
In spring the bulb grows in the field into a tulip.This is the time to go see the famous colourfull tulip fields.
The tulips are topped around the end of april depending on the growth/weather. The flower is removed to maintain the vigor in the bulb. The harvesting season on land usually starts at the end of July.
The tulip bulb growth is over and we have arrived at the breeding process. After a storage period in 20-23 degrees, the bulbs are placed in refrigerator at 9 degrees. At the beginning of November, the first bulb is pricked in trays and are put into the cold store for three weeks to root at 5-7 degrees. Replanting is a continuous process and continues throughout winter and all spring. The first tulips go into the greenhouse and are left in the ground for about 21 - 32 days from sprout to flower. After the tulip has completely turned into a flower, the flower can be processed and prepared for transport.
At the time I was Triflor, at the end of april, the tulip season was almost at his end.
It’s that last part, from greenhouse to transport, that can be seen in this series of images.
Source: Triflor Tulips
THE WORLD OF THE INLAND WATERWAY SHIPPING
The ABZ Animal Feed Factory in Nijkerk is supplied with raw materials through inland shipping.
Skipper Jeroen Strijker delivers here soybeanmeal.
The Loreley is a cargo ship from 1965 and owned by Jeroen since 2007. He lives on the boat with
his family and 2 cats. His children Martijn (7) and Fleur (10) attend a skipper's boarding school
from Monday till Friday.
Jeroen and his wife Jessica run the company together. Both come from a skipper's family and share all responsibilities on board. As maneuvering the unwieldy ship through tight locks.