Former soldiers start veteran-focused farm in Netherlands

In Heusden, Netherlands, former commando Martijn van der Klis and his wife, Loes van der Klis, a former military nurse, partnered with 67-year-old farmer Henk Berkvens to establish the Netherlands’ first veteran-focused farm.

Berkvens, who owns 18 hectares of land and 40 cattle, needed someone to take over his farm as he lacked an heir.

The Van der Klis couple, through their foundation Noeste Arbeid, aim to create a place where veterans and former first responders can find purpose and community through agricultural work. Martijn van der Klis is retraining as a farmer, learning about livestock and land management from Berkvens, who has farmed the land his entire life. The couple envisions a farm where participants actively contribute to its development, fostering a sense of ownership and shared purpose.

Martijn experienced brain damage likely caused by exposure to explosives during his time as a commando and found that physical work outdoors offered him much-needed stability after being medically discharged. Loes van der Klis previously ran a food forest and wanted to incorporate veterans into its upkeep, eventually leading to the idea of a dedicated farm.

The couple is currently seeking funding from the local municipality, the Ministry of Defence, and private companies to fully take over the farm in three to four years. They plan to expand the operation to include sheep and poultry, focusing on organic and regenerative farming practices, while also creating a workshop for crafts and skills development. They currently have five regular volunteers and hope to grow that number to twenty.