“I believe it’s important for passionate people to do what they’re good at.

As an 18-year-old, Dustin Kluin was certain of one thing: he wanted to join the Marine Corps. But life had other plans for him. After starting as a seasonal worker at De Bolster, he never ended up leaving. Dustin has now been with De Bolster for thirteen years and recently stepped into the role of Head of Production – a position where he truly comes into his own.

A heart for people and efficiency

Dustin is responsible for the entire production process. Based on forecasted demand, cultivation planning and price negotiations with producers begin, after which Dustin’s team starts the preparations. The role fits him perfectly: “I love working with people and helping their talents flourish. Ensuring they enjoy their work, do what they are good at, and can focus on the core tasks instead of peripheral issues. Besides this social aspect, I get a lot of energy from the strategic side of my job. How can we make the production process as efficient as possible? I’m exactly the same at home – always thinking about how things can be done more efficiently. So, I’m really in the right place here.

Across the globe

In addition to leading the team, Dustin is frequently on the road visiting the growers who produce seeds for De Bolster. These growers are located all over the world: from the Netherlands, Moldova, and Italy to Chile and India.

Dustin: “Certain crops – such as pumpkins, peppers, or tomatoes – perform better on other continents due to the climate and day length. Especially with large volumes, the quality is often superior. You can also sow at different times than in the Netherlands, which provides more decision-making points throughout the year. As a result, we receive seeds more frequently, and our supply reliability is higher. Together with the growers, I look at how we can increase both quantity and quality. The social aspect is vital here too; you deal with many different cultures. I am open and ask questions about their culture. That way, you learn a lot and build strong relationships.

Plans for this year

Dustin is looking forward to the rest of the year in his ‘new’ role. For instance, a new producer in Peru may join the fold to focus on pumpkin seed production. “The big advantage there is that the sowing season is several months longer than in the Netherlands, allowing us to run multiple production cycles per year. This ensures we can keep up with market demand and deliver at any time.

There are also exciting developments within the team. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience, but it’s often stored only in our colleagues’ heads. We want to make that knowledge accessible to everyone. To that end, we are working on cultivation manuals and annual schedules. Additionally, we are making joint agreements on things like weed and soil management. You don’t want to lock everything down in rigid protocols, but you do need a clear guideline – the starting point for a good conversation within the team. What is the best choice given the machinery and labor we have available? I always say: ‘Perfect is the enemy of good’. You will always have to make concessions; perfection doesn’t exist. I’m happy to see so much energy and positivity in the team. Together, we are on a mission to bring cultivation to an even higher level.

The Future

Dustin is most looking forward to the moment he has completed a full season in this role. That is when the team can see if the improvements have had the desired effect – and if not, they will determine a modified action plan together. He concludes: “I always had my doubts about our current agricultural system, especially when I saw a sprayer in the fields. Since working at De Bolster – and certainly since having children of my own – I regularly wonder what we are putting into those little bodies, and I’ve become even more aware of the importance of organic farming. I think it’s wonderful to contribute to our company and a healthier food chain in this way. I hope to keep working here with great pleasure for the rest of my life.