Some 170 business customers came to take a look at the organic seed breeding company De Bolster in Epe from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September. During the open days, they could see both existing and new varieties growing and share their experiences.
Distributors, seed companies, and organic growers came from far and wide to see the demo fields with pumpkin, chard, rocket, beans, sweetcorn, and courgette, and the greenhouse where peppers, tomatoes, and aubergines grow.
De Bolster's new phytophthora-resistant tomatoes are beaming outside.
New varieties
"For us, a great moment to present existing as well as new varieties," says commercial director Maarten Vrensen. "For example, we have new, tasty pumpkin varieties that have a much longer shelf life. Something growers and wholesalers have been asking for for a long time. The new tomato varieties with good resistance to the dreaded fungus phytophthora also met with much enthusiasm. We had the non-resistant and resistant varieties next to each other and the results spoke volumes: the latter still looked great, while the other varieties were felled by the fungus. The most common comment from customers: 'I hope you have enough seeds'. Our goal is always to solve problems that growers encounter for them."
The new organic pumpkin 'BOL-P-5110 F1' has "good flavour, high production and excellent storability.
Valuable feedback
For De Bolster, the open days are also a perfect time to spend quality time with their customers and get feedback. "That sometimes leads to nice surprises," Maarten says. "For example, there appeared to be interest in shorter, thicker, and darker beans. While we had almost written off a variety that met these requirements. So you see; every market has different requirements, so it's good to be constantly in touch with the market."
Towards 100% organic farming
Besides business customers, students from the Higher Agricultural School were also welcome. "A great opportunity for them to learn more about breeding farms and organic farming. Because in the end, that's what De Bolster is all about: a future with 100% organic farming. And that starts with planting that first seed."
For more information:
De Bolster
Tel +31 (0)578 621 433
[email protected]
www.bolster.nl