Farmers in the Ilperveld
Since mid-2020, the Hardebol family has been running Landschap Noord-Holland's managerial farm. Besides the farm, they manage no less than 100 hectares of the Ilperveld.
Landschap Noord-Holland and the nature farm work together a lot and are in daily contact. For example, the Hardebol family takes meadow birds into account by only mowing after the breeding season. There are also areas where the family only mows once the forester has checked that the meadow birds have left. In addition, the nature farm plays an important role in controlling pitrus. This persistent grass species is found in many places in the Ilperveld, but it does not belong here. Pitrus is seen as a major problem for the peat meadow area. This is because grazers do not eat these hard green blades. As a result, pitrus can start to dominate and the openness of the landscape, which meadow birds need, can be lost.
Nature farm Hardebol dra...
Landschap Noord-Holland and the nature farm work together a lot and are in daily contact. For example, the Hardebol family takes meadow birds into account by only mowing after the breeding season. There are also areas where the family only mows once the forester has checked that the meadow birds have left. In addition, the nature farm plays an important role in controlling pitrus. This persistent grass species is found in many places in the Ilperveld, but it does not belong here. Pitrus is seen as a major problem for the peat meadow area. This is because grazers do not eat these hard green blades. As a result, pitrus can start to dominate and the openness of the landscape, which meadow birds need, can be lost.
Nature Farm Hardebol contributes to the control of pitrus by producing and spreading rough manure. Pig manure is a combination of reed and cow faeces and is produced in the farm's potting shed. Coarse manure increases the nutrient content of the soil, improving soil life. This attracts many insects, which in turn are important as food for (young) meadow birds and for pollinating flowers. Feel free to walk around the farm and especially take a look in the farm shop full of fun and tasty local products.
More information: Hardebol Nature Farm
