Official opening of the monumental farmhouse Abbekesdoel

On Wednesday, September 28, the nationally listed farmhouse owned by Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom on Abbekesdoel in Bleskensgraaf was officially opened after undergoing extensive restoration. Mayor Segers performed the opening ceremony.

By restoring the farm to its former glory, a striking landmark in the village of Bleskensgraaf has been preserved. The farm will be used for various purposes,
with a focus on strengthening ties with the local community. The farm will be opened at regular intervals to welcome various target groups and tell the story of cheese making. In the very month that the DeltaMilk dairy cooperative (owner of Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom) celebrates its 12.5-year anniversary, the renovation work on this beautiful building has been completed. A double celebration, then.

Connection with the community
At Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and stewardship are central values. The latter core value indicates that De Graafstroom considers it important to look beyond the present. This stewardship has always been in our DNA. “Renovating, preserving for the future, and opening up the monumental farm to the community fits in seamlessly with our idea of stewardship,” says Raymond Noordermeer, general manager at Zuivelfabriek De Graafstroom. “We are very happy with the farm’s regional character. The interior is a tasteful mix of past and present.”
“Our farm has an exhibition space where we interactively sketch a picture of what we do at De Graafstroom, from cow to cheese. In addition, our sustainability projects, such as the ‘Green Circles cheese and soil subsidence’ project, are highlighted in the exhibition space,” says Noordermeer. “We want to be a place of inspiration for both local residents and visitors.” In addition to the exhibition space, the farm also has a meeting room for (networking) gatherings and a cheese shop.
The renovation of the farm was carried out in collaboration with the Alblasserwaard-Vijfheerenlanden Region, the Province of South Holland, and the European Union. These important partners supported the project with various subsidies.

12.5th anniversary of the DeltaMilk dairy cooperative
Around 190 farmers are the proud owners of the De Graafstroom dairy factory in Bleskensgraaf, where delicious naturally matured cheese is made. These farmers are united in the DeltaMilk dairy cooperative. It has been exactly 12.5 years since the cooperative became the owner of the dairy factory in Bleskensgraaf. The opening of the farm at Abbekesdoel 2 is a wonderful way to mark this copper anniversary.