Hobby Farm, Eco Retreat, Family farm
Drenthe
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
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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
Cornelissen
Member since 2019
Languages spoken:
Dutch, English, German
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 75%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Drenthe
By train to Meppel, and by bus 20 to Wittelte
Reviews
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!
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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.
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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.
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Paul
Netherlands
•
June 2022
Though Manon, Bert and we are all Dutch speaking persons I'm writing this review in English for international woofers. We've just came back from their farm in Wittelte where we had our first experience with wwoof. My wife has a little experience being raised in the Philipines while I am completely new to it. During the time we stayed there my wife was mostly busy with Manon doing all kinds of hands on activities on the farm and I was mostly busy with Bert doing mostly a bit heavier work. Manon and Bert have more than 30 years of experience working on their farm land during which time they also provided a home for somebody needing help in his/her daily activities. They made it very easy for us to help them because they gave us many instructions how to do the work. The jobs we did were not conceived as work by us but more as fun being able to help them and learn. The jobs we did where of alternating nature and hence never became dull. Beside this we were also able to explore the beautiful sorrounding nature of Wittelte. We are thankful to Manon and Bert for their hospitality and teaching us how to do farm life in the mean while. Manon and Bert prepared delicious meals for us and we are very grateful for this amazing opportunity.
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Thi Hanh Nhi
France
•
August 2018
I only stayed in CORNELISSEN V.O.F for 10 days but it was an great experience. Manon is a very caring and sweet woman, she always takes care of me to have a best comfortable feeling in her house. Bert is a strong man and somehow he can do some unbelievable things that I can not imagine. Both of them always explained to me whatever I aked, about the agriculture and about life , I learned a lot from them. I do appreciate their company till the end of my trip there. I would love to come again, perhaps one day ^^ Many thanks and best regards.
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MIRA
Netherlands
•
November 2017
I've been in Cornelissen V.O.F for 11 days. Manon and Bert are very nice host. The place they live is nice too. The appearance of building is an old farm house but the inside is modern. I like it. The room I stayed was very clean and cozy with a personal bathroom.
In the morning, I feed animals with Bert and biked around village with Ivy(Dog).
We planted some flowers for bees. And I learned how to chop woods efficiently. The work in there was nice.
Manon introduced me the dutch pie and Bert showed me around the monument in there.
If you visit this place, You will have a wonderful time with nice people.
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