Organic Farm 'de Groote Modderkolk, Loenen (Gld)
The Farm and its location.
Set in the beautiful countryside of the Veluwe in Loenen is the organic farm "De Groote Modderkolk. This is a very special farm where working parties and many enthusiastic volunteers work in a unique way together on the land owned by Natuurmonumenten. The Foundation Verdandi was bought by the farm in 2001 and uses 2 acres of the surrounding land. The farm is run by a group of young adults with learning disabilities. Also located on the farm is the Management Office for the eastern-Veluwe of Natuurmonumenten.
Preserving Nature.
The office of Natuurmonumenten Care Manager and his team take care of the daily management 
and monitoring of the land in the area and they also provide excursions. In the region stretching from the eastern edge of the Veluwe to the IJssel Natuurmonumenten they manages 1800 hectares of natural and agricultural land and these examples can be seen in the forest and on the moorland (RamenBerg, Hoeve Delle and the de Reeënberg on the eastern flank of the Veluwe in Loenen). In the IJssel valley lie the Empense and Tondense Heide, the estates Voorstonden and Leusveld and the various wet grasslands. A huge amount of work has to be done to properly manage these natural areas and this offers the opportunity to work and to carry out various activities in the beautiful lan
dscape.
The Agricultural Activities.
De Groote Modderkolk was formerly a traditional working farm but nowadays it is a modern farm with an ancient cultural and historical impact. The farm rears a rare breed of cow that is threatened with extinction and the 80 cattle are wintered in a barn in Potstalgo. Other animals on the farm include chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and goats.
All these animals are spread over the terrain and need daily care and attention….. So everyone's help is welcome!
The Red Fire Cattle
The Red Fire breed is raised for beef and milk production. They are a strong and stocky breed and very self-reliant animals that can live in difficult conditions. Their main colour is very dark, especially on the head where they are almost black and some of the animals have a blue tongue! Their white colouring is limited to their extremities….white socks, tail and belly.
This breed are very quiet and friendly to other animals and people and are very adaptable to different feeding patterns and weather conditions. Red Fire cattle suckle their own calves and their robustness and resistance to disease give them not only a long life, but also makes them suitable for natural grazing..
De Potstal.
In the current farming conditions the Potstal system is becoming popular. The animals can move freely and lie in the warm, soft straw. Straw is added daily until the mixture of manure and straw reaches a thickness of approx 1 metre and fills the pot at the end of the season.
Your hosts.
On the site you're a guest of Mary Peters and Erik de Vries with their sons Rien (13) and Siebe (10). Erik is next to manager of the camp several days a week a teacher at Forest School in Apeldoorn where he gives classes in Forest, Nature and Outdoor & Adventure. From this background, various activities are organized where knowledge of nature plays a major role. Mary will be available daily to everyone and she takes care of the animals, the campsite and the camp store.
The surroundings
De Groote Modderkolk Veluws located in an attractive landscape with vast forests and rolling moors. Habitat of red deer and wild boar. In the region there is a sheep flock from which they daily graze the moor. In Loenen you find the largest natural waterfall in the Netherlands, where the drop of the water is about 15 meter. The waterfall source 1869 rises in the forests of the Schalter. The Loenermark and Loenense Forest are very nice for a walk or a bike ride.
Pets.
Pets are welcome, but please keep them under strict control around the livestock.
The location of the tents.
The pitches are on a separate, intimate pasture land behind the farmhouse. All tents have an open view over the meadows with on the background beautiful old oak trees.
On the site lies a creek. If the water spreng will give this shallow creek running water the water runs. Otherwise, water has to be pumped with the various hand pumps. Scattered around the site there are more creative play facilities.
The cooperation between the three parties offers many possibilities. You can pick up organic vegetables daily, where you will be helped by the residents. They also take care of the tea garden where you can have a drink and/or a snack on the terrace. The managers of the camp take you to the Veluwe, to explore de Veluwe in an active way with mountain bike tours and GPS. Excursions are provided by volunteers of Natuurmonumenten or Erik himself. Workprojects are also possible. You can go hiking in the forest, where you can sleep in the forest. Or go by horse and wagon into the woods where you can enjoy homemade pancakes. Come face to face with the beautiful game as deer, roe deer, or wild boar!
