As the youngest generation of a real grower family, Glenn (22) and Saskia (20) Coenen know what it's like to grow up among the crops and to work on the land. There is a good chance that one of the two will take over their parents' company in a few years, but first they want to work and learn at other companies.
Entrepreneur family
Glenn and Saskia explain how they both chose to study Business Administration at HAS in Venlo. “Ever since I was 4 or 5 I said that I wanted to do this job later,” Glenn begins. 'At that age I didn't know exactly what it entailed, of course, but I always knew clearly that I wanted to work in this sector.' Saskia is currently in her final year. “I have always felt that this is where my future lies. "Entrepreneurship is in both of us and we are happy to continue what our family has built here."
The company was founded in 1966 by Glenn and Saskia's grandfather. In 1999 their father took over the company. Initially it was a mixed farm where various crops, such as broad beans, cauliflower and potatoes were grown and where cattle, pigs and sheep were kept. Over the years, more and more specialized; this ultimately left leeks as the most important crop. "We still combine leek cultivation with some arable farming, partly for risk spreading and partly for a healthy crop rotation," says Glenn.
Entrepreneurship is in both of us and we are happy to continue what our family has built here.
Van jongs af aan
From their childhood they especially remember the vegetable garden they had together. ’ They also remember well that as a child they went in the box on the harvest wagon to the field. Since our teens we have been involved in conversations, we think about investments and we increasingly have our own ideas,' says Saskia. “For example, I studied a weather station that allows you to accurately measure soil temperature and moisture percentages,” says Glenn enthusiastically.
'Our parents have always said that we should do what we like. There is no other way,” says Glenn. “Something like this really has to come from yourself and you have to want to go for it 300%. You can also see that with our parents. My father is a very hard worker and in the background there is one who perhaps works even harder and who keeps everything running; that is our mother.”
Our parents have always told us to do what we like.