From arable farmers and fruit growers to livestock farmers, brewers, and food processors, fourteen entrepreneurs from Flevoland share their stories in the Polder Pearls campaign. Through inspiring videos, food education, and public activities, the Province of Flevoland highlights where our food comes from and the people who work every day to produce it. Mariska was also given the opportunity to share her story.

Flevoland has long been an important food-producing region. Its fertile clay soil forms the foundation of a strong agricultural sector that contributes daily to food security in the Netherlands and far beyond. In the rural areas, farmers, food producers, and processors work to provide healthy food while paying close attention to soil health, water management, nature conservation, and innovation.

To make these stories more visible, the Province of Flevoland launched the Polder Pearls campaign. Fourteen entrepreneurs from different sectors tell the stories behind their businesses, products, and passion for their profession in a series of short videos. Watch the video filmed at De Kandelaar here.

Many people know the final product they buy in the supermarket, but not the story behind it. This is one of the reasons guests are welcome at De Kandelaar. Visitors can not only stay overnight but also gain a better understanding of the journey food takes before it reaches their plate. We regularly welcome school classes through the Boerderij-Educatie programme of Kom bij de Boer and participate in organizing the Tulip Route Flevoland. In this way, we can share the authentic story of food production and raise awareness of topics such as food security, food quality, innovation, and sustainability.

 

And just like that, it’s already April — the month of spring, busy days on the land, sunny cycling trips, and of course… tulips! We’re excited to share some wonderful news for all enthusiastic cyclists. We are now part of the Flevoland “Fietspauzepunten” network: welcoming locations throughout the province where cyclists can enjoy a pleasant break. Together with 12 other Flevoland entrepreneurs, we form the official “Fietspauzepunten” of Flevoland.

We open on 2 April 2026, and on Saturday 18 April 2026 all Cycle rest places will host an open day.  Come visit us, take a look at the milk house, relax at the rest point, or browse our mini‑market in the greenhouse. And if you can’t get enough, book an overnight stay in our Bed & Breakfast.

After the Easter weekend, Tulip Route Flevoland begins with 2 car routes, 4 cycling routes, and a walking route. We are part of the Lelystad cycling route and the starting location of the Eastern Car Route. The cycling route is free of charge.The car route:  a ticket is required (€6.00). For more information, visit the Tulip Route Flevoland website: www.tulpenrouteflevoland.nl.

During the Tulip Route, we are open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 with a cozy mini‑market in the greenhouse. Browse for fun tulip gadgets, taste real farmhouse home-made cheese from our dairy farm, or ask for a guided tour. Coffee and tea with cake are ready for you!

 

 

Sinds vandaag is Bed & Breakfast de Kandelaar uit Biddinghuizen officieel ingedeeld in de klasse van drie tulpen. Dit is de bovengemiddelde kwaliteitsklasse van het Nederlandse classificatiesysteem voor bed & breakfasts. Bed & Breakfast De Kandelaar ontving de drie tulpen na een bezoek van een mystery guest van Stichting Bed & Breakfast Nederland.

Op 20 november werden we bezocht door nieuwe gasten die de mystery guest van Bed & Breakfast Nederland bleken te zijn. De mystery guest was verrast door de aanwezigheid van een Bed & Breakfast op een boerenbedrijf en de aanwezigheid van de vele windmolens in de omgeving. De Bed & Breakfast werd als zeer schoon beoordeeld en had heerlijk beddengoed. Het gebruik van de keuken en bar werd zeker gewaardeerd.

De Nederlandse Bed & Breakfast Classificatie stelt minimum kwaliteitseisen aan deelnemende Bed & Breakfasts en geeft inzicht in de kwaliteitsverschillen. Deelnemende Bed & Breakfasts worden gerangschikt in klassen van 1 t/m 5 tulpen. Het classificatiesysteem wordt uitgevoerd door Stichting Bed & Breakfast Nederland en de controle gebeurt door middel van mystery guests. “Een bed & breakfast met drie tulpen biedt de gast een bovengemiddeld kwaliteitsniveau. Het bed & breakfast is comfortabel en gerieflijk en er worden extra voorzieningen en services geboden. Gasten hebben een eigen badkamer tot hun beschikking en het ontbijt is uitgebreid met brood, vers fruit en een eitje”, aldus Stichting Bed & Breakfast Nederland.

After 24 years it was time to say goodbye to the DeLaval OerClassic milking robot.  It was the oldest, still working, operating milking robot from DeLaval.  In 2000, it was said that these robots would last at most 10 years!  24 years later … The new robot is like a switch from a gnome to a big giant.  What a beautiful machine, and not only us, but the cows as well, are very happy with this new robot.

1 May: the old robots were removed and the new DeLaval V300 was placed in a temporary setup on the grids.  In no time, the technicians and engineers Luuk, Erwin, Wouter and Bart managed to connect the new robot.  Despite the temporary setup, the cows were eager to enter the new milking robot. In the meantime, there was sufficient time to properly install all pipes, walls, etc., and recoat the floor in the milking room.  This work was carried out by Henny and an employee at Piersma Floors. 13 May: the new robots were placed in their final location and as soon as the gate was opened, the first cow entered! 

Calm has been restored and the new robot is milking to complete satisfaction.  All cows are properly connected, a few teething problems (that is, if we don’t forget to open any valves ourselves!) and milk production has increased.  The V300 provides significant energy savings and also maintenance costs will decrease.

Friday 24 May we officially put the new DeLaval V300 milking robots in use.  While enjoying a coffee and a delicious piece of cake, we looked back to the past 24 years with a few people who were there at the beginning. Obviously, including a tour to the new milking robot. We hope that this new V300 milking robot is going to do its job for the next 20+ years.

 

 

The ‘Pionierspad’ is a unique walking route from Steenwijk to Muiden through the youngest Dutch county Flevoland (East to West). This Path offers what the name promises: ‘pioneering’. You will walk across what used to be the Zuiderzee (Southern Sea), which was only reclaimed half a century ago. A walk through forests and swamps, alternated with views of endless lowlands. The 200 kilometer route covers many unpaved footpaths along fields, ditches and grass dikes. In the top of the county Overijssel you will find peace and quiet and of course you should not miss the picturesque town of Giethoorn (also known as Venice of the North or Netherlands).  Walk along the Oostvaardersplassen (the newest Dutch Nature Reserve) to Muiderslot Castle.

Stage 5 to stage 11 of the Pionierspad is easily accessible from Bed & Breakfast De Kandelaar. Relax every evening in the middle of Flevoland’s rural area, where you can enjoy the polder landscape from a (hanging) chair and read the story of Flevoland on our terrace. After a restful sleep and a delicious breakfast, you will be ready to walk another stage of the Pionierspad. Plan your trip now, do not miss out and book a room at Bed & Breakfast De Kandelaar.