Sometimes, an extremely difficult situation can lead to a positive outcome. This was the case for Gert-Jan van Beek. As a 15 year old boy, he was confronted with the loss of his father. This was an extremely dark chapter in his life. A local acquaintance decided to hire his father’s arable land. This acquaintance was also a fruit grower, and Gert-Jan worked there on Saturdays and during the holidays. His passion for fruit growing began during this time.
Having studied fruit cultivation, Gert-Jan grew his own fruit trees and progressed to a fully fledged apple and pear growing company. What does he enjoy most about growing fruit? “I really enjoy pruning. If it freezes at night, it’s often beautiful weather to be outside in during the day. I enjoy harvest time the most. And the cell division in June, having the opportunity to watch the crop grow." He carries out all the tasks himself to maintain quality control. Gert-Jan is working towards ensuring his orchards are completely covered by hail nets. He concludes: “To be a successful fruit grower, it’s more vital than ever to deliver a top quality product."
