Meet Linde (25 years old) , our new livestock farm manager
Linde (25 years old) - Organic dairy farm manager
After an apprenticeship in Canada, Linde found exactly what she was looking for at Henri Willig: a place where animal welfare is paramount.
"Here, the cow's welfare really comes first. That may sound obvious, but at Henri Willig you notice that it really is," Linde says. "Here, the health and welfare of the animal is taken care of first and only then the production, just a different order than how conventional works. That fits much better with my beliefs - and with what I learned during my education."
From Belgium to the Netherlands
Linde grew up in Belgium.
"During secondary school, I discovered that I liked to be practical and wanted to do something with animals. That interest grew into a real passion for agriculture and animal husbandry." That's why she moved to the Netherlands seven years ago to follow the Vakexpert Bio-dynamic Agriculture course (MBO Level 4) at Warmonderhof.
"That was a big step, but I immediately knew: this is what I want. During my internships at various organic and biodynamic farms, such as Veld en Beek and Warmonderhof Veehouderij, I got the chance to gain a lot of practical experience - from feeding and milking to claw trimming and tractor work. I still use that broad base every day."
International experience
After her training, Linde went to Canada, where she worked on a farm with 850 dairy cows.
"That was an impressive experience. Everything was grand: the barns, the machinery, the numbers. I learned a lot about efficiency and technology there, but also noticed that I missed the personal side of farming. In Canada, I was just a small link in the whole - here at Henri Willig, I am really involved in the whole process."
Before going to Canada, Linde also gained experience at Noordenbos, where she worked as an all-round animal keeper.
"There I learned to take responsibility, observe cows and recognise diseases early. Those are exactly the skills that come in handy here too."
Learning, growing and gaining confidence
Since her start in September, Linde feels completely at home.
"I found the ration calculations quite tough at first," she says with a laugh. "That really is a job in itself. Fortunately, I get good guidance and a lot of confidence here. That motivates me to get better and better."
She enjoys the variety in her work.
"One day I'm working on the cows, the next day on dates or consultations. There is always something new to learn. It never feels like 'just work', but something I really put my heart into."
Living and working in Katwoude
Although her family still lives in Belgium, Linde feels right at home in the Netherlands.
"I don't live around the corner from my family, but I still have a lot of contact with former Warmonderhof students. We speak to each other regularly and it feels like a second family. And my parents have since been here too - they loved seeing where I work now."
A meaningful future
What Linde appreciates most about her work at Henri Willig?
"That you feel you are doing something good. You work with animals in a way that is sustainable, honest and respectful. And at the same time, you get the chance to develop yourself and help think about improvements. That gives real satisfaction."
