The Beginning

After the construction of the canal between Almelo and de Haandrik around 1855 – right through the great swampy peatlands from the Lemelerberg in the west to the German border in the east – finally, the cultivation for the extraction of peat could begin. By digging zijwijken, like the Fortwijk and Kalkwijk, square to the canal, the peat boats could penetrate deep into the area. In this way, the advancing peat workers – excavating the peat with their bucket elevator, peat press, and steam engine – could be relieved from their peat. Hectare after hectare was cultivated in this way, while the remaining land was sold to farmers from Groningen to start their own agricultural businesses. The construction of straight roads, large parcels and great impressive Groninger farms resulted in large agricultural businesses, modern for their time, in a peat district.

Engbertsdijksvenen-1-kort-275

The Beginning

After the construction of the canal between Almelo and de Haandrik around 1855 – right through the great swampy peatlands from the Lemelerberg in the west to the German border in the east – finally, the cultivation for the extraction of peat could begin. By digging zijwijken, like the Fortwijk and Kalkwijk, square to the canal, the peat boats could penetrate deep into the area. In this way, the advancing peat workers – excavating the peat with their bucket elevator, peat press, and steam engine – could be relieved from their peat. Hectare after hectare was cultivated in this way, while the remaining land was sold to farmers from Groningen to start their own agricultural businesses. The construction of straight roads, large parcels and great impressive Groninger farms resulted in large agricultural businesses, modern for their time, in a peat district.

Agriculture

Around 1900, the pioneers from Drente and Groningen followed the peat workers towards the cultivated peat areas in the peat districts in Vroomshoop, Overijssel. On the large parcels, surrounded by straight roads and canals, they founded agricultural businesses, modern for their time. The landscape was open and wide and the Oldambtster farms gave the area the feeling of Groningen rather than Twente. The current farm of Kalkwijck was founded hundreds of years ago and settled at the parcel of land between the Tonnendijk and the last remaining part of the Kalkwijk in Vroomshoop. The old Groninger farm bears the name Pertjaja Malay for ‘faith’ or ‘it’s enough’.

Kalkwijck-boerderij

Agriculture

Around 1900, the pioneers from Drente and Groningen followed the peat workers towards the cultivated peat areas in the peat districts in Vroomshoop, Overijssel. On the large parcels, surrounded by straight roads and canals, they founded agricultural businesses, modern for their time. The landscape was open and wide and the Oldambtster farms gave the area the feeling of Groningen rather than Twente. The current farm of Kalkwijck was founded hundreds of years ago and settled at the parcel of land between the Tonnendijk and the last remaining part of the Kalkwijk in Vroomshoop. The old Groninger farm bears the name Pertjaja Malay for ‘faith’ or ‘it’s enough’.

Raw materials

For many generations, we have grown grain for breweries and seed production. Like no other, we understand what’s essential to the most important ingredient in the alcohol production. The right sowing dates, good materials, wholesome fertilisation and proper tillage are important to give the crops a good start. By observing the crops and giving it the proper attention, the grain will turn strong and healthy during the season, to supply the best harvest at the right moment. We take sustainability into account by letting the nearby mill grind our grain and by storing ourselves. The soil is burdened as little as possible to retain the fertility of the soil and we also make use of organic fertiliser. Our experience with these processes results into good raw material, of which part is supplied to the alliance of beer breweries in Overijssel, who produce local beer.

graan

Raw materials

For many generations, we have grown grain for breweries and seed production. Like no other, we understand what’s essential to the most important ingredient in the alcohol production. The right sowing dates, good materials, wholesome fertilisation and proper tillage are important to give the crops a good start. By observing the crops and giving it the proper attention, the grain will turn strong and healthy during the season, to supply the best harvest at the right moment. We take sustainability into account by letting the nearby mill grind our grain and by storing ourselves. The soil is burdened as little as possible to retain the fertility of the soil and we also make use of organic fertiliser. Our experience with these processes results into good raw material, of which part is supplied to the alliance of beer breweries in Overijssel, who produce local beer.

Distillery

When you’re constantly surrounded by your own crops and thinking about improvements, ideas for different purposes of the grain arise. Only supplying grain to others wasn’t our only goal anymore and an expansion of our farm arose in 2009. The distillery was founded to process our crops into high-quality alcoholic products. In the meantime, it has grown into a full-fledged distillery with the traditional copper kettle in the back of the house still at the heart of the process. Before distilling, the flower is grinded by a traditional mill. Subsequently, the distillation is started in the installation that is supplied with all the necessary parts to control the whole process. After the distillation, the half-fabricates and the ready drinks are stored in authentic stockrooms to ripen. By using specially selected casks the taste of the Kalkwijck products becomes delicious.

leemansmolen-molen

Distillery

When you’re constantly surrounded by your own crops and thinking about improvements, ideas for different purposes of the grain arise. Only supplying grain to others wasn’t our only goal anymore and an expansion of our farm arose in 2009. The distillery was founded to process our crops into high-quality alcoholic products. In the meantime, it has grown into a full-fledged distillery with the traditional copper kettle in the back of the house still at the heart of the process. Before distilling, the flower is grinded by a traditional mill. Subsequently, the distillation is started in the installation that is supplied with all the necessary parts to control the whole process. After the distillation, the half-fabricates and the ready drinks are stored in authentic stockrooms to ripen. By using specially selected casks the taste of the Kalkwijck products becomes delicious.