As the son of tomato grower Nico Duijvestijn, Nick has always worked in his father's garden. Since last autumn, however, he has been doing so as co-owner of the family business in Honselersdijk. Together with his father, he runs 5.5 hectares of greenhouses at 2 locations.
“I've always enjoyed working in the greenhouse, since childhood actually. I liked to cooperate in the greenhouse, next to school. When I had to choose which course I would do after secondary school, I didn't hesitate for long to choose the HBO course in Horticulture and Agribusiness. ”
Nick and Nico now run the family business together
Choice
A new moment of choice presented itself last summer. After completing the necessary horticultural internships and with it his training, Nick was again faced with an important choice. Did he want to work in his father's company? “During my training I talked a lot with my father about being a grower. Fortunately, that suited us both. It also turned out that we have the same plans for the future. That was when we decided to take the plunge. ”
It means that Nico and Nick have started the new season together. This year, just like in previous years, they are growing the special Coeur de Boeuf, the plum tomato Red Egg and, new this year, snack tomatoes.
Young
Nick is responsible for all of the work as well as many other organizational matters. “Everything is set to make it a great season. We have a good start. If it continues to run as it has been, then I will be delighted. Although as a grower you will of course always keep optimizing things. ”
Always an important point as soon as peak production arrives in tomato cultivation is labor. “We work a lot with students. It is nice to see that they also stay with us for a long time and that there is always new growth.”
In any case, Kwekerij Duijvestijn works with a young team. “The average age of our manager is around 24 years. It makes us dynamic, while the atmosphere is still good in between hard work. ”
The start of the season was good for Kwekerij Duijvestijn. "If it continues to run like it has been up to now, I will be delighted."
To learn
In addition to the labour and the organisation, Nick also participates in the cultivation. “Ultimately, we have to be able to perceive each other, so I want to quickly familiarise myself with the intricacies of cultivation. My father has a lot of experience, so I learn a lot from him here. ”
Nick himself also brings the necessary new knowledge and experience from his training and internships. “It is nice to now see many things from theory in the practice of our own family business. Together we make each other stronger. ”
One of the new developments in which Nick and Nico should be gaining experience together from this year onwards, is geothermal energy. The greenhouse in Pouwelslaan will be connected to the Trias geothermal energy network this year. “At the moment there is plenty of digging everywhere. It is a positive development that means that we as growers can become even more sustainable. ”
For more information:
Kwekerij Duijvestijn 
www.kwekerijduijvestijn.nl