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Two farms of the Horizon Europe Climate Farm Demo project

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Two farms of the Horizon Europe Climate Farm Demo project

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We visit two farms:

1) Fruit Vanhellemont is a family run fruit farm that cultivates apples and pears. They produce a variety of products, including apple gin and apple jam which are sold at their farm store.

2) 't Silsomhof is a family run farm located at the edge of a nature reserve between Leuven and Brussels. The farm specializes in the ethical and environmentally conscious production of Belgian Blue and Limousin cattle breeds, as well as veal and lamb.

We conclude the visit with a walking dinner at Farm Brewery Hof ten Dormaal.

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Mrs. Vanhellemont tells us about how the farm started. A lot of time went into the fruit production, studying and planting the apple & pear trees and strawberry.

In this province nobody grew apples and pears. New projects made it possible to produce environmentally friendly.

In 1997 her husband took over one part of the farm, his two brothers did something else. One brother was in the marketing business and wanted to join the family game business. They started working together in 2003. The second part of the farm followed in 2010.

After 8 years, huge problems with hale occured.

The farm is in total 55 ha of plantation

The small shop started, today 400+ regional products are sold. There is another shop in Tienen. Her daughter in law works there.

In high season they need 50-60 workers, today 10-12 people a day

They started working with handicapped people. Vanhellemont were the first company to open their doors for them; today up to 130 people.

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Welcome at Vanhellemont!

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Jonagold

Morgana

They try to do circular economy.

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Own produce + regional products --> collaborations

Products from everywhere (Antwerpen, Brussels...)

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17 years, own strawberries

Now only apples and pears - too much work

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Linkage of projects, possibility of joining the projects - good marketing, good produce, good managing

Support of advisors

Support for clients (knowledge, storage, recipe advice...)

Networking

If legislation becomes too complicated, they stopped expanding and just sell in regional shops

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Climate mitigation as main goal

Co-developer for a carbon footprint tool for agricultural farms

Dissemination of knowledge

Working together with practice

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Why are farmers interested in their footprint?

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Why are farmers interested in their footprint?

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Emission reduction

Small steps

CSRD has pushed a little bit

Good results gets you more money

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Advisor as knowledge facilitator

Projects have complex processes - before, during, and after the project

Goal: improving knowledge exchange between science and practice

Information overkill as a limitation for using online ressources e. g. videos

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The use of the EU FarmBook as a digital platform 

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The use of the EU FarmBook as a digital platform 

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All material, all practical material (e.g. videos) is important

Connecting the demo farm with the platform for best practices and further knowledge dissemination

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That's a lot !! Even with bought products from regional producers, a huge regional network - it's impressive.

It's amazing to have the farm store and one another additional store for direct sales.

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Role model in employment of handicapped people 

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Role model in employment of handicapped people 

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New favourite product found ! Best souvenir from today's trip.

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A cattle farm with own butchery

Care farm, with weekly adult care, for handicapped people

Produce directly sold to customers, nothing sold to wholesalers or industry

Belgium and Limousin

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Opened 3 half days a week

Fresh and freezed products --> no difference in quality

Colour scheme = animal produce, posters for the customers

Colour palette found everywhere

Price range, taste, ideology

Freezer 100%

Fresh only

Cows go in pairs to the butchery, less stress

1 Chef, 2 Butchers --> Lasagna, Bolognese...

2 full time jobs in total with x people

Customers have to make an effort to come here -> give them a choice of specialities (Limousin !), 50/50 steak Limousin and Belgian Blue

They don't sell to restaurants

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Make the most out of the whole animal, every animal

Be creative how to sell it

Facebook & monthly newsletter that's all marketing

With Corona no more mails, letters

Only mouth propaganda

Kitchen: new and nice, important for customers for transparency

Other products from farmers from own produce in the shop

Vanhellemont products are sold here as well

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Belgian Blues died shortly after the were born

Cows aborted after some months

Really few bulls on the market

Price first ten years 4,80€ and now 9-10,20/kg now for same bull

Not giving it to customers because they rely on them

Belgian Blue - bulls

Limousin - steers (castration about 1 year)

Quality of meet

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Genetics

Shaved, Belgian calmer than Limousin (more character) --> heat

Straw with blower over animals, dust comes into hair (skin problems etc). Shaving a lot cleaner

Shaving and castration in detaining box

Shop and farm open at the same time

Have a tour around the whole farm

Straw hey straw - feeding routine

15 kg/day maize Belgian Blue

Protein supplements 2,5 kg/day Limousin, always same amount

Male sheep don't get to go outside, cocky attitude

Females outside

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Natural purification of the waste water from the butchery

With bacteria and enzymes

Goes into the creek in the forest

Rooftop water is gathered (grey water from toilet)

45% solar panel energy produced and used

Rest bought

Battery to store own energy, because almost as much put into net than used afterwards and bought

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Samples

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Samples

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At least some crisps because buying a steak wasn't possible...

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Thank you for the insights and your passion for agriculture!