{"id":3971,"date":"2025-02-01T11:45:48","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T09:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/?p=3971"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:43:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:43:11","slug":"sitting-behind-a-computer-all-day-is-just-not-for-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/en\/sitting-behind-a-computer-all-day-is-just-not-for-me\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSitting behind a computer all day is just not for me.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cSitting behind a computer all day is just not for me.\u201d<\/h1>\n

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As assistant team leader of the Production team, Cindy Berends spends most of her day working outside in the fields \u2013 something she thoroughly enjoys. One day a week, she is currently enrolled in the Organic Farming program. \u201cI\u2019m learning incredibly interesting things about the soil there, but when it comes to things like seed cultivation, I can actually teach the instructor and other students a thing or two.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Working with nature<\/h2>\n

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Originally trained as a graphic designer and working in a print shop, Cindy quickly discovered that spending all day indoors behind a computer wasn’t for her. After a few detours in the hospitality industry, she joined De Bolster five years ago. She has found her place there. From soil preparation to plant care and harvesting; no two days are the same. And that\u2019s exactly what Cindy loves. During the winter, when things are quieter in the fields, she helps with packing and shipping the seeds.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Cindy: \u201cEven after five years, I still find it beautiful to put a seed in the ground, care for it, watch it grow into a plant, and then harvest the seeds again. Every season we try to produce even better seeds.<\/p>\n

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Although this past season was quite a challenge with the wet weather. We sometimes had to wait to sow, and then it became very dry. The seeds had a hard time breaking through the top layer of the soil. So, I\u2019m very curious about this year\u2019s production. At the end of the day, you\u2019re always dependent on nature.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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“One of the subjects I find most interesting is soil science. The soil is the foundation; you shouldn’t exhaust it, but rather work together with it.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Organic Farming Program<\/h2>\n

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To further expand her knowledge, Cindy is taking the two-year Organic Farming program at Warmonderhof in Dronten. \u201cI\u2019ve gained an even deeper understanding of how important organic farming is, for biodiversity among other things. One of the subjects I find most interesting is soil science. The soil is the foundation; you shouldn’t exhaust it, but rather work together with it. Healthy soil means healthy plants.<\/p>\n

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I also had the opportunity to do an internship at the company BioRomeo in Ens. Before the season starts, they study the soil extensively and conduct trials. This way, they know exactly what is needed in terms of compost and nutrition. I regularly sent videos to my team. Eventually, we had a team outing there with the entire Production team. It was very educational. Conversely, I notice that I also have something to contribute to the program. In some areas, like seed cultivation, I sometimes know more than the instructor. I then get to explain things. In that way, my education and work reinforce each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Going abroad<\/h2>\n

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Cindy has plenty of plans for the future. \u201cNot necessarily to move up the ladder at De Bolster, because that would mean more computer work,\u201d she says with a laugh. Scheduled for next winter is a period of volunteering abroad, known as \u2018WWOOFing.\u2019 WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) stands for cultural and educational exchanges on organic farms.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve already requested that time off for a sabbatical to gain even more experience. Ideally, I\u2019d like to go to Costa Rica.\u201d
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Latest news<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThe great thing about customer service is that in the morning, I don’t yet know what I’ll be doing that day\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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