
Bregje Hamelynck
Innovator
Ús Hôf
Netherlands
Social
Rural Areas
Rural village
The innovation journey
Bregje Hamelynck runs Ús Hôf (Our Courtyard), a self-harvesting farm cooperative in the village of Sibrandabuorren in the province of Fryslân since 2013. The farm is based on the principles of permaculture and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The farm has more than 200 harvest partners with regular subscriptions for 35 weeks a year, and over 100 subscribers for a weekly vegetable package for 30 weeks a year.
Rural newcomer Bregje Hamelynck moved to Fryslân looking for an environmentally sustainable lifestyle after a career as an economist in energy transition and sustainable development. After integrating into the local community, she and her partner transformed 2 hectares of former horseland into a permaculture-friendly farm.
The farm has become a place of belonging with local partners and volunteers. They organise an educational centre promoting CSA. Her partner Michel takes care of soil improvement and physical farm tasks, Bregje focuses on CSA start-ups and public advocacy, co-founding the CSA Network Netherlands and the Federation of Agroecological Farmers.
The innovation impact
Bregje is a rural development innovator known for collaborating with environmental and socio-economic transformation agents at various levels. She strategically bridges her networks, initiating projects like ‘Foodcoop Ús Iten’ in 2015, which increased the regional market share for sustainable food and created a circular food chain. She also co-initiated a community land trust at Ús Hôf, ensuring ethical and social land use.
Overall, Bregje has demonstrated the effectiveness of CSA and now she teaches the principles, and supports the development of CSA farms and other activities and initiatives on CSA.