The first parsley pilot demonstrated that sustainable, local herb cultivation is feasible in the Netherlands. This success is now being built upon by developing a regenerative, organic, and Dutch-sourced supply chain. Scaling up is a step-by-step process: from cultivation and harvesting to processing, logistics, and sales.
Expansion
The first herbs are being grown by Joost and Sanne of Zonnegoed, Wim and Marga of Saalland, and Ruben of Regenerative Farm Schevichoven. They operate according to regenerative principles: without chemical pesticides, with minimal tillage, and increased crop diversity. Savory, marjoram, chervil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and lovage have been selected for this first round. Processing takes place at Schevichoven using solar panels and a modern drying facility, specially designed by drying expert Jan Diekema. This facility is designed to maximize the retention of aroma and flavor.
About Verstegen and Schevichoven
Verstegen plays a key role in making the herb and spice supply chain more sustainable. Driven by its intrinsic motivation to make supply chains fairer, more transparent, and more future-proof, the company has been working for years to make the herb and spice chain more sustainable. The previous pilot project with parsley clearly demonstrated the need for increased processing capacity, a challenge now being addressed through the collaboration with Schevichoven.
Schevichoven consists of three divisions whose shared mission is to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands. Through Regenerative Farm Schevichoven, the company cultivates 45 perennial crops on 26 hectares in Leersum according to regenerative principles. Through Schevichoven Groeit, it participates in projects and partnerships that support farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture. Schevichoven Droogt also offers high-quality drying facilities specifically designed for optimal processing of the herbs.
Jeroen Plesman van Schevichoven says the following: The ultimate goal of this project is for as many farmers as possible, approximately thirty-five hectares of their land, to dedicate to growing herbs in a regenerative way. These herbs will then be dried and sold in the Netherlands.
The project is co-facilitated by ReGeNL. The first steps of this collaboration have already been taken and can be followed through the communication channels of the partners involved.
