“This course has gone pretty quickly. Two years goes by in no time. Plant cultivation appeals to me the most. Did you know that fifty percent of all vegetables and small fruits in the world are grown on one-hectare farms? These small-scale farms are so important to the community. I like the idea of making a difference in that area. Ideally, I would like to work on a market garden or a care farm later on.”

“My hands in the soil, rather than working in psychiatry”

Lukas Henquet (43) is a first-year student at Warmonderhof at the time of this interview. He is doing the biodynamic cultivation worker course.

“For fifteen years I worked with addicts and in psychiatry, but I ended up having a severe burnout. During that period, I started working at De Volle Grond garden in Bunnik. This is where I gained some peace and learned to take good care of myself again. It’s also where I discovered that I really enjoyed gardening and that I actually prefer working with my hands in the soil as opposed to working in psychiatry. One of the gardeners at the farm tipped me off about Warmonderhof. And that’s how I ended up here.

A course for gaining a real understanding of this profession

Growing vegetables is a trade, a profession. That’s why I really wanted to study it. I want to learn all the ins and outs of it and become a good gardener. Now Tuinderij De Volle Grond has also become my working farm. Nowadays, the daily work at the garden is no problem for me, but I still need to learn how to run a garden in the longer term. That means: gaining more knowledge about soil types, business forms, business administration.

Anthroposophy for your personal development

The anthroposophical side of the course is excellent for your personal development. For example, I discovered what is appropriate for me, and what doesn’t suit me anymore. I’ve done a lot of different things. For example, I once studied at the Hotel School and worked in the hospitality industry. I’ve always had a passion for food, but now that I’m growing my own vegetables, I can really appreciate all the work that has to be done before that wonderful dish gets to your plate. After all, I experience it every day in the fields!

Working mindfully really works

What Warmonderhof has given me is a critical eye. How can we deal with fruits and vegetables in a responsible way? How do we maintain the balance between giving and taking from the land? The appreciation and respect for nature, the give and take, must be in harmony. I’ve also noticed that it makes a huge difference when you work mindfully and when you don’t. Working mindfully is actually a subject we study here. Recently during my internship I was pruning my fifth fig tree in a row and I wasn’t focussing. Well, you could see the difference straight away!

What Warmonderhof has given me is a critical eye.

My goal now is to get as much experience as possible. You’re always learning something new. Once I’ve worked in the field for a few years, I would like to become a farmer on a Herenboerderij. There are more and more of these being set up. They’re always looking for new horticulturists and assistant horticulturists. It would be great if I could be one of them!”

Warmonderhof has monthly open days. Are you interested in the possibilities for you at our school? Please take a look in our agenda for the next open day.