"Mum, why aren't they wearing bikinis now? It's so hot here." With a red blush on his cheeks, an elementary school-aged boy walks out of the greenhouse at the Dutch organic grower Frank de Koning on a Saturday afternoon. He had just seen how peppers and eggplants are grown in-soil, which he found quite impressive.
Explaining how water is being reused in a Dutch Berries greenhouse. Photo credits by Tim van Etten - www.at10.nl.
The boy was one of the almost 100,000 visitors to the 44th edition of Kom in de Kas ("Visit the greenhouse"), according to the visitor figures shared by the organization. Besides many families with children, hobby photographers, (former) horticulturists, and curious consumers also found their way to the greenhouses.
For two days, visitors could enter greenhouses in various Dutch regions.
Visitors were able to ask plenty of questions to the growers present and their employees. For a short while, in the greenhouses, the focus wasn't on the many challenges that growers face but also about their beautiful products. Dressed in blue shirts, growers and employees visibly enjoyed the contact with interested visitors and the appreciation they sometimes received. "Look at this, these peppers grow much better than ours at home."
Boudewijn van der Wal and his son Job, manager at Dutch Berries. Photo credits by Tim van Etten - www.at10.nl.
A total of 70 companies, most of them ornamental growers, opened their doors in twelve Dutch regions. In various regions, attention was also paid to the entire agricultural segment, and mills and dairy farms could also be visited.
Unlike previous editions, the event was held in June. As a result, not all regions were able to participate. In 2019, growers divided over more than 23 regions drew more than double the number of visitors.
Having a look at beneficial insects at organic grower Frank de Koning.
"Another year without Kom in de Kas was not an option for us, which is why the event was postponed until June," said country chairman René van Dop in a press release. "Unfortunately, this meant that it was not possible for every region to take part. The 12 regions that did take part in the 44th edition pulled out all the stops to make this summer edition a success.
In 2023 Kom in de Kas will take place on 1 and 2 April.