Hof Ter Meulen
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Basic information
| Year of foundation | 2007 |
| Specialization | Strawberry, wheat, spelt, barley, grass seed, sugarbeet/ mangalica pigs, nature borders |
| Farm area | 54 ha |
| Number of employees | 1.5 |
| Year of starting agroforestry practices | 2018 |
| Location | Belgium, West Flanders, De Haan |
| Webpage | www.hoftermeulen.com |
Hof Ter Meulen
The farm is orientated since 2011 to a short chain production of mangalica pig and strawberry. Since 2018 there was a start of agroforestry with purpose of feeding the pigs giving them shadow and limiting wind for the strawberries.
From 2007 till 2011 strongly industrial (seed potatoes) orientated with high risk of misharvest (diseases, weather à water, market, monopoly in clients…). From 2011 they took a step back overlooked and decided to broaden or production gamma and go directly to the end-consumer.
The landowner’s wife, Tessa, did a year of training to become a butcher and in 2014 they started farm shop with mangalica pig meat supplemented with other meat from nearby collegue farmers. A big public attraction is also the production of strawberries in May and June. The more they connect to the end-consumer the more they are convinced of à short chain sustainable agricultural model.
The landowner’s wife, Tessa, did a year of training to become a butcher and in 2014 they started farm shop with mangalica pig meat supplemented with other meat from nearby collegue farmers. A big public attraction is also the production of strawberries in May and June. The more they connect to the end-consumer the more they are convinced of à short chain sustainable agricultural model.
- Only started in autumn 2018 with the planting of the first trees. So they can’t yet see any results of their project (just happy that all trees started growing and that the fields are divided as we want them on the long term).
- It’s anticipated that the new trees will provide shade and protection for animals, however at this time it is currently too soon to have results
The implementation of this type of agroforestry is roughly based on internet sources of Joel Sallatin, a researcher from the United States. The results will be evaluated after 5 or more years. Currently, the landowner receives 80% subsidies of the plant costs.
Important skills are planning, research, and education.
Description of used technics during establishing of agroforestry systems The trees used were ones that fit well with the pigs. Most of the planning techniques can be found in Sallatin’s research.
Threats/Challenges
Description of used technics during establishing of agroforestry systems The trees used were ones that fit well with the pigs. Most of the planning techniques can be found in Sallatin’s research.
Threats/Challenges
- Some key challenges were choosing the right type of tree (we are at the coast where there is salty wind),
- Keeping the corridors clean (guinea fowl do there job, but the fox is a problem)
- Shades will be good for the pigs, but still a question mark for solar radiation for the crops.
There’s a great deal of research out there already if you know where to look. It’s important to follow in the footsteps of those who came before, as they have learned a lot of the best and worst practices. This case study was a good example of putting research practices into best practices.
Future plans The landowner will see how the trees and land grow.
Future plans The landowner will see how the trees and land grow.
Be sure to look into research on agroforestry as it’s out there and you just need to look for it.
Farmer recommendation: “Be sure to plant trees that will work well with the animals. Not all plants are suitable for all animals.”
