On the easternmost part of our cycle route, we pass the organic self-harvest farm Het Wijveld, located on the Kwadenplasstraat in Destelbergen. Farmers Dave and Michiel have been growing around seventy ‘new’ and ‘forgotten’ vegetables, herbs and soft fruit there since 2009. The concept of a self-harvest farm works as follows: at the beginning of the season, you pay a one-off amount and that allows you to come and harvest vegetables, herbs and fruit yourself in the field throughout the season. The whole family is certainly welcome to join in. You will receive guidelines for the technical aspects of harvesting by email and in the field. You eat with the seasons and can thus get fresh vegetables in the house throughout the season. Collective activities are also organised, such as picnics, work-to-know days and evaluation meetings. In this way, you get to know the producers better, but above all, you commit yourself to organic farming, farming with respect for the environment. By harvesting yourself, there is no need for transport and trade. The vegetables are therefore not packaged in plastic, which is good for the environment. The subscription formula ensures the farmer a fixed income, allowing them to fully concentrate on growing vegetables and not have to worry about sales or fluctuating market prices.
This self-harvest farm is a fine example of ‘Community Shared Agriculture’ (agriculture supported by the community). The self-harvest system encourages people to actively share responsibility in the food chain. The farmer receives a fair wage for his work and by opting for ecological agriculture you also help the environment. When Wijveld was founded, it was only the second CSA in Flanders. More than ten years later, the CSA network has grown to include several farms spread throughout Flanders.