“I am happy to build something together”

27 October 2025

Martin ten Brinke is the coordinator of the City Farm Osdorp.Martin ten Brinke started the Stadsboerderij Osdorp in 2014, a place in the neighborhood where vegetables are grown, where residents can work on a piece of land, where people can meet and learn about nature. The wooden main building with the kitchen was recently built. There is also a stable for the animals and a shed for the tools.

“It is my dream to connect young and old with the soil, nature, for them to enjoy it, to learn about it. You want to make a difference, create a sense of responsibility for your environment.”

It is my dream to connect young and old with the soil, nature

Vegetable garden“We grow lettuce, carrots, zucchinis, herbs in the large vegetable garden, and we can make delicious things in the kitchen from them. Maybe also vegetables you didn’t know. Then there can be an exchange, between cultures, between young and old. That already happens. Eating and cooking connect us with nature and with each other. From garden to plate, it all happens here!”

“Small encounters arise. In this environment, that can happen unnoticed, not many words are needed. People know many things, they help each other with their garden.”Organic“There are 35 plots of ten square meters each for residents. Vegetable gardens. We all work as organically as possible. Every Saturday there is a gardening afternoon. We work in the large vegetable garden, talk about things like preserving vegetables or organic gardening. We have a drink together and everyone takes home some of the harvest.”

“There is also a children’s garden. Fifty children aged 4 to 10 each get a plot of one square meter. That will start again soon. They are very interested in nature, constantly walking around with their watering cans. The children come from schools, after-school care, and the neighborhood. There are also animals: chickens, dwarf goats, rabbits, and bees. The animals’ manure is composted together with the garden waste. This creates a cycle.”

From garden to plate, it all happens here!

Plans“We are constantly learning. It could also be called Proeftuin Osdorp here. I want to give space to initiatives that fit here, such as a bike rental. Or people who want to set up a permaculture garden, a form of organic gardening where the soil is left in peace and worked with nature. I rent out the main building for birthday parties, meetings, or workshops. On weekends, you can also enjoy coffee, tea, and lemonade here with homemade apple pie. There will also be a shop with products from the garden and the region.”Balance“I started here alone and now I have gathered quite a few people around me who participate. One takes photos for Facebook and the website, others clean the stable, while others help in the large vegetable garden. About fifteen volunteers come regularly, and an even larger group helps out occasionally with odd jobs.”

“People come here to work because they enjoy it, they learn things. It’s a balance between giving and taking. Sometimes you feel that it’s out of balance. Then someone is dissatisfied. Did I drop the ball? Some volunteers want to boost their income. That is very understandable, but I cannot meet that need. I am clear about that.”

“There is a lot to gain here. Where else in the city can you garden so extensively, grow your own vegetables, and cook with them? Build a neighborhood organization together and realize your own ideas? Most people understand that well and approach it positively. That’s how you build something together. That makes me very happy.”

Interested in volunteering in Nature and Environment in Amsterdam Nieuw West? Check out these job vacancies.

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