Day 3, Thursday May 12, 2016

Shelby Sanders

Overview

• Left Leiden
• Visit Koppert Biological Systems
• Lunch on the North Sea
• Thatch Roofing Presentation and Dinner at Historic Farmhouse

This morning we packed our bags, and left the De Doelen Hotel in Leiden to head to our next destination. We are spending tonight in the StayOkay Hostel in Bergen Op Zoom. This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and climbed into our fancy Mercedes party bus. The bus had some awesome blue running lights on the inside, a pretty cool driver, and a sweet microphone.   

Our first stop for the day was at Koppert Biological Systems in Rijksweg, Netherlands. Koppert was started in 1967, and is a family owned business. Koppert concentrates in crop protection with the use of bees, insects, and different species of mites to control many different pests. Koppert is an international company and they are also located in Howell Michigan as well as outside of Rotterdam. Koppert has a fermentation facility. Here we learned about their innovation and bio stimulants. The biological pesticide is sold as a powder and the farmer then adds water to the stimulant. This is applied roughly 1 gallon per 1 acre.

 

We then ventured to the North Sea to see a small village next to a dike. Our lunch view was of many sailboats docked by the Sea. We had lunch at a small local restaurant that offered a few different dishes. We had the options of Cod, Mussels, or Scampi. Of course there was the option of a burger for our non-seafood eaters. Hans, our tour guide, gave us the option to try salted herring. This is a raw fish that is cured in salt that tenderizes the meat, and then topped with chopped onions.  The little village we saw an old dike that was not big enough to hold back the water, and the city was endangered. They have built a new dike further out that protects the village better.

The next part of our day we hopped back into our party bus and headed to an old farm that was very unique and beautiful. What was neat about this farm was the “stable” or what we would call a barn. It was unique because it still has a thatched roof. Thatch roofs are not as popular anymore. Many people now have tiled roofs. Thatched roofs are unique because they are natural products, more insulated, and are less flammable that other roof methods. The reed is grown in the water of a creek. It is harvested right about the water line, so the next crop can start to grow and it does not drown out. The younger the reed the shinier it appears, the older the reed the darker the coloring. A problem many Dutch people are having with the thatched roofing is the growth of moss. When moss grows on the reed it holds the water on the roof for a longer amount of time and puts a weight burden on it. This was not a problem when there were cattle in the stables because the ammonia from the manure didn’t allow it to grow. Thatched roofs last about 25- 35 years. Over the years there are repairs that need to be attended to every 2-3 years. Thatcher’s work during the warm times similar to our roof crews. Much reed is grown in Turkey, Hungry, China, and Holland. All the reed that is grown in Holland is used for roofs in Holland. A bundle of reed cost about 3 euros, and it takes 10 bundles per sq meter. The thatched roof technique is very interesting and intriguing to watch.

We were offered a lovely dinner at the farm of Mr. Young and Connie. We had a tomato based vegetable soup, salad, and ham sandwiches. It was all very good! Young was a development aid for the Netherlands in water management. The farm was bought in 1918, but the barn was built around 1795. It is one of the oldest in their village. Their home use to be used as a home with stables in the one end and living quarters int he other.  Today, it just consists of living quarters.  They had a water well were we could pull water with the shaduf.  The farm was on 2 acres of land where Young and Connie grew many different things. Somethings they liked to grow were rye, wheat, barley, potatoes, buckwheat, rapeseed, and flowers. Young talked about about how he believes you learn the best by doing.  He has many projects he has created, and many he is working on.

Today was a very eventful busy, busy busy day. Don’t worry, we sleep every chance we can on the bus! We ended our night at the hostel we are only staying in one night. Now to rest up for our big day tomorrow! Until our next event, Peace Out Americans!!!