Willem van der Horst

My name is Willem van der Horst and I am a dairy farmer in beautiful Cothen, where I live with my wife Annabel and our two sons, Ties and William. Our family lives surrounded by greenery, among the meadows where my family has been farming for generations. I cherish that tradition, but I also believe that we as farmers must continue to innovate.

Sustainability plays a central role in my work. I am committed to circular agriculture, biodiversity, and the responsible use of soil and water. Together with fellow farmers, I work on projects such as manure fermentation, which allows us to generate green gas from manure from our own barns. We also invest in flower-rich field margins, solar energy, and smart technologies that reduce our impact on the environment.

My farm is not only a place where cows graze, but also a place where ideas grow. I believe that we as farmers have a key role to play in the future of the Netherlands—a future in which regional food production goes hand in hand with nature and quality of life.