L i e l n g h e r i t a g e w h s u s t a n a b l e p r o g r e s s
Our values
P a s s i o n t r s p a r e n c a n s s t a i n a b i l i t y
Recent global events have largely disrupted the global food chains and demonstrated the importance of sustainable solutions in terms of the local food supply, lifestyle and health. Consumers have become more conscious of the pitfalls of globalization and rediscovered the value of local produce and experiences. In addition, customers have again found the time and new dedication to inform themselves about their food and its origins.
Our mission
“ u n i q e e c o s t e m o f e n t r e p r e n e u r s w h o m a d e i t t h e i r m i s s i o n t o p r o v i d e s u s t a i n a b l e f o o d s o l u t i o n s . ”
Dries De Causmaecker
Transparency
Offer full transparency to consumers about the origin, treatments and CO2 footprint of the food supply chain
Passion
Share our passion and concepts with other entrepreneurs and consumers, and help them transform as well
Nature
Customers discover and enjoy the origin: connect with nature while being introduced to the modern agriculture
Less Borders
Reduce the distance between the farmer and the consumer to no or limited intermediaries
Sustainability
Achieve the sustainable profitable growth for all contributors to the ecosystem
Our people
e C a s m a e c k r f m i l y
Parents
Noël & Nadine
Agro passionate
Dries
Farmer
Tim
The Taste Buds
Fien & Jonas
Het Waterland find its origin in the farm which has been run by our predecessors since 1900. During his early years, our brother Tim has shown most interest for the farm itself. However, Fien and Dries have always remained passionate for Het Waterland as well. They explored its unique value and developed our hospitality and gastronomy branches in the last years.
Our story
A l i f e l o n g s o r y i n c e 1 9 0
Our timeline
1914
Year 1914
F o u n a t i o n
Our great grandfather, Charles De Causmaecker, arrived where the farm is currently situated and decided to build it in the middle of the polders. The farm “Het Waterland” was born.
Year 1955
r e H e r i g e
Our great grandfather wanted to build a farm for each of his sons, however the world wars and private challenges didn’t allow it to happen. The farm Het Waterland was initially intended for the oldest son, and the youngest son, our grandfather Petrus De Causmaecker.
Year 1983
o ë N d n ’ s e v e l m e s
Our dad, Noël De Causmaecker, took over the farm. He had already gathered some experience working in agriculture for a contractor and as soon as he came to manage his own farm, he quite extensively reorganized the farming activities into a modern mixed-farm with beef cattle & agriculture.
Year 1988
F m o F o r k
Several merchants recommended our father to use growth hormones for his cattle. This practice was illegal at the time and our father did not trust and declined it. He followed his own vision and started selling high quality hormon free meat to a butcher named Gerard Verstuyft. This was the beginning of our first “farm to fork” activities.
Year 2018
F s t l d g i n g e x p e r i e n c e s
We renovated a small village house, our grandparents and after 2 years of extensive renovations, opened a holiday house in Waterland-Oudeman. We inaugurated Huisje Nummer Tien!
Year 2019
F i r p a r t n e r s i s
For the first time in the farm’s history, we started delivering meat and potatoes directly to a partner’s restaurant. Diners were able to enjoy a delicious meat from our beef cattle along with fries produced from our harvest in one the finest restaurants around Ghent – “Gasthof Halifax”. Furthermore we established during that year several partnerships with local bakers who are using our high quality flour.
Year 2021
4 t h G e n e i o n
In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, Tim De Causmaecker, following the footsteps of our father, became the 4th generation farmer at Het Waterland. “As good as our father” became his life motto.
Year 2022
G a o n o m c r e t r t
Fien De Causmaecker and her partner Jonas De Man, in the former house of our grandparents Petrus, opened a unique restaurant. The fresh regional products are beautifully served on your plate, inviting for a wonderful delicious gastronomic journey.
Year 2023
R e c o n n e c t i n g w i t h t h c o u n t r y s i d e
To enable people to further reconnect with nature as well as get to know Het Waterland better, we are looking to open a new and unique lodging in the area by the end of 2023, latest beginning of 2024.