Welcome to Flanders, specifically in Lokeren, at Annelies and Pieter’s for a forage hedge project.
In 2008, the couple took over the family farm, a result of the transfer from Pieter’s father. On their farm, they keep almost seventy Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle. Everything is done as naturally as possible, with minimal human intervention. The bull does its work, and the cows calve naturally.
The farm has been fully organic since 2016, meaning they use no fertilizers or pesticides on their 15 hectares of grassland.
Their motto: Care for nature and the soil, the true foundation, these are our best allies. Thanks to excellent cooperation with the non-profit organizations Durme and Natuurpunt, their cows can graze outdoors almost all year round.
At the initiative of Annelies and a contact from Jacinte of Farming for Climate, the project includes 410 meters of diverse and forage hedges; as well as 15 poplar cuttings to replant a line along the meadow.
The first meeting with Annelies took place in August 2024. We took the time to listen to her concerns and determine the desired lines and functions of the hedge.
- Strengthen the ecological network on the farm.
- Improve the welfare of the cows, who can eventually stand in the shade there.
- Supply forage.
Project supported by
De Vierklaver: A SHORT-CHAIN FARM BUTCHERY
The cows remain on the farm for 6 to 10 years. This guarantees very flavorful meat. Their diet consists exclusively of grass and clover as feed (awaiting the hedge). As soon as weather conditions permit, the cattle go out to pasture.
De Vierklaver is a farm butchery with a long history that consciously opts for natural meat and a sustainable production process. Pieter Van Poucke and his wife Annelies Marchand manage the butchery and sell short-chain products there, without flavorings and without added preservatives.
Truly useful hedges!
With numerous sustainability goals, the company Manitou Benelux has chosen to co-finance the entire project of hedges and poplars.
The hedge consists of common hawthorn, hornbeam, elderberry*… A mixture of 13 different native tree and shrub species are planted. The trees were planted on January 24, 2025.
SITE VISIT WITH MANITOU
On June 26, 2025, we visited the plantations with Dirk from Manitou Benelux.
Despite the dry periods in spring, the hedges are doing great. One species was particularly hard hit by the warm weather: the hazelnut. We will monitor their development.
The poplars have a 100% survival rate, so in a few years, they will provide shade for the cattle.
Annelies & Pieter are very happy that they have been able to increase the biodiversity potential of their farm, and since one project feeds another, we are planning project no. 2 for 2025/26. We will keep you informed 😉
Hedge Project Features
| PLANTING | 410 m of hedge |
| PLANTING SEASON | Winter 2024-25 |
| LIST OF SPECIES: | Common Hawthorn Hornbeam Bloodtwig Dogwood Field Maple Hazel Purple Willow Black Elder Alder Hawthorn Small-leaved Lime Poplar |
