Hobby Farm, Eco Retreat, Family farm

Drenthe

13 • Updated 3 years ago

Our farm is situated in the province of Drenthe and lies in the middle of three areas of outstanding, natural beauty. In 1988 we began a small-scale initiative in biodynamic farming with the farm also serving as a retreat for people with special needs and temporary or occasional care. To this end, we completely renovated and refigured our 19th-century farmhouse. We have various animals such as cows, goats, donkeys, pigs, chickens, bees, rabbits, cats and a dog, a large vegetable garden, an orchard and an ornamental garden with a large pond. You will be expected to help us with a variety of tasks around the farm for up to 5 to 6 hours a day, for a minimum period of two weeks. If possible, it would be fine if you could also contribute to some of the cooking. You will be given your own private room with bathroom, though we generally gather to enjoy our daily meals together. There will be a bike at your disposal so you can be independent and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Smoking and drugs are not allowed. If you are interested please send us a complete profile and a clear picture of yourself. We look forward to welcoming motivated people! Organic methods: bio-dynamic method Type of work: No special projects Internet access available

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Grain farming

Poultry farming

Pig farming

Cattle farming

Sheep or goat farming

Raising of other farm animals

Forestry

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Methods or systems

Biodynamic agriculture

Host type

Nonprofit / Community

0.8 Hectares | 2 Acres

WWOOF-Verified

Accommodation

2 WWOOFers

Bedroom

Children accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Length of stay

1-2 weeks

Cornelissen

Member since 2019

Languages spoken: Dutch, English, German

Sun

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Tue

Wed

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Fri

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Response rate: 89% Response time: typically within 4 days

Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Drenthe

By train to Meppel, and by bus 20 to Wittelte

My past WWOOFers

Evi

September 2026 • Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Elisha

September 2026 • 77 - Seine-et-Marne, France

Solene

July 2026 • 08 - Ardennes, France

Meha

June 2026 • India

Milan

April 2026 • Noord-Holland, Netherlands

1 - 5 / 10

Feedback

Evi

Germany • September 2026

I had a really great time at Manon and Bert’s farm. It was my first woofing experience and they set the bar high. I was warmly welcomed and they very hospitable. Manon is a great cook, everyday she cooked a fresh meal in the evening with ingredients from their own garden, I was always welcomed to help with the cooking, which I really liked. Bert has a lot of knowledge about biodynamic farming and was always teaching some things. The work was also very enjoyable, we harvested potatoes, pumpkins and picked the apples to make apple juice. I mostly worked with Manon, she easily communicated in both languages German and English with me, explaining everything about the work. There were a lot of breaks, one in the morning when we drank coffee and hot chocolate and a lunch break. The animals are very cute, the donkey kept me company when I was fixing the fences or did some weeding. They also lent me a bike with which I could explore the Dutch countryside. There are some megalithic tombs in the area that are worth seeing. I learned a lot about the Netherlands and about how the people farm and live here. My favorite Dutch specialty is definitely the hagelslag. It was a great experience and I am very thankful for everything I got to make and learn about. Bert and Manon are very kind and educated people with a lot of knowledge about all different types of things, like the biodynamic farming, architecture and literature. I would really recommend this place.

Solene

France • August 2026

My first experience of WWOOFing was wonderful, and I will keep lovely memories of it. A huge thanks to Manon and Bert, who welcomed me and made me feel comfortable. They gave me the opportunity to learn new skills, practice, and I'm grateful to have learnt how a biodynamic farm really works. I spent such a great time in the Dutch countryside, including on the bike paths thanks to the bike they lent me. A lovely place with lovely animals (go donkeys!!) and lovely people who are genuinely interested in you. It was amazing to share this experience with them. It motivated me to keep building myself through experiences like this one.

Reply from Cornelissen

Hi Solene, Thank you for your review! Something was going wrong: yesterday I wrote a review to you and I thought I sent it but today I became an message from Wwoof that I can't add a review for you anymore. Strange. So I'll tell you what I wrote: "Dear Solene, thank you very much for you visit! You are a very nice, interested, polite, modest and quiet woman and very willing to do the jobs we asked for. So we wish you more pleasant experiences with the wwoofing-community to expand your skills! So once more: thank you very much! Bert and Manon

Meha

India • June 2026

This was my first experience of "wwoofing" and I spent 5 days at Manon and Bert's farm and home. I had the best time learning from them and getting to know them. I felt like I was with family and they really took care of me :) I learnt about the daily rhythms of farm life - feeding the animals, stacking hay, weeding the vegetable beds and paths. Some of it is hard work (only if you're not used to physical work, like me) I learnt about the biodynamic farming calendar. The best part of the day was taking the donkeys to their meadows every morning and evening ! Manon and Bert were really sweet and made me feel very at home. I left feeling very inspired by two people who work so hard, have a strong purpose, and a disciplined life :) Grateful to have met them and shared a part of their lives !

Jacob

United States • May 2024

Staying with Manon, Bert, and Francine on the farm was great! We got to work on different projects everyday such as pruning apple trees, planting potatoes, weeding, and cutting logs. I also learned how to care for the many different animals of the farm (cows, sheep, pigs, donkeys, chickens, turkeys). The accommodations are nice, and you can use a bike to explore in your free time. Would definitely recommend visiting the Cornelissen farm!

Livia

Belgium • October 2023

My stay at Bert and Manon's farm was a magical experience. I stayed there for a total of three weeks. Bert, Manon and Francine are very friendly people. I have been able to learn and discover so much. Not only the work on the farm, but also the nature and the region (Drenthe) had a lot to offer. Bert was able to answer all my questions about working on the land, nature and self-sufficient living. To me, Manon was a caring, powerful woman with a golden heart. Francine kept me company and we had a nice chat and puzzle together. Together they have a very beautiful vision of life. I had my own room and bathroom. We always ate together and there was respect for the fact that I am vegetarian. I also learned to cook with the fruits and vegetables that are typical of the season. Working on the land and caring for the animals has given me even more respect for all living things. This is also due to the collaboration with Bert and Manon. I was also able to explore the region in my spare time and discovered how many beautiful forests, cycling and walking paths there are. Wonderful to daydream about. It is highly recommended to stay here and get more in touch with the magic of nature. Thank you Bert, Manon and Francine, this was an unforgettable experience.

Marian

Netherlands • September 2023

English below Dit was mijn eerste ervaring met WWOOF en het is zeer goed bevallen. Bij Manon en Bert ben je van harte welkom aan te schuiven aan hun grote familietafel. Bert is een bron van informatie over de boerderij (dieren, boomgaard, moestuin, zelfvoorzienend) en over biodynamisch leven. Hij heeft mij zeker geïnspireerd, mijn zaaikalender is in bestelling. Manon is een luisterend oor en attente gastvrouw. Elke avond staat er een kleurrijke maaltijd op tafel, voor mijn dieetwensen was aandacht. De omgeving is heerlijk om wandelend te verkennen en een fiets is te leen voor grotere afstanden, zoals de schaapskooien bezoeken in het Dwingelderveld. Bonus was de eigen kamer met bed, douche en toilet. Zeker een aanrader om naar toe te gaan. This was my first WWOOF experience and I am enthousiast. At Manon and Bert you are welkom at their large dinnertable. Bert has a lot of knowledge about biodynamic farming. I am starting this at home as well. Manon is very attent and a good listener. Every evening I enjoyd a colorfull meal. They are flexible to my dietary needs. The surroundings are lovely to walk and a bicycle is available for longer distances. The flock of sheep in Dwingelderveld can be visited by bike. A real bonus was my own room with bed, shower and toilet. I do recommend the family Cornelissen as a place to visit as a WWOOFer.