Hobby Farm, Eco Retreat, Family farm

Drenthe

11 • 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

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Response rate: 81% Response time: typically within 5 days

Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Drenthe

By train to Meppel, and by bus 20 to Wittelte

My past WWOOFers

Meha

June 2026 • India

Milan

April 2026 • Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Him ling

May 2025 • Gelderland, Netherlands

Lou

August 2024 • 69 - Rhône, France

Nicolette

June 2024 • Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

1 - 5 / 7

Feedback

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.

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.

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.