Buurtboerderij Ons Genoegen is a unique place on the Spaarndammerdijk, in Westerpark. In recent years the farm has developed into a social enterprise with activities where everyone is welcome.
Farm for the neighborhood
With the construction of the railroad to Haarlem in 1972, farm Ons Genoegen became somewhat isolated from the city. The vacant property was squatted and vacated again, after which the building was made unattractive for re-squatting by demolishing the floors. Yet in 1999, the farm was reoccupied by a club of activists. They wanted to prevent a gas station from being built there. "Preserve the farm for the neighborhood" was the slogan. The idea was to also create a time out facility there for people who would otherwise end up in a psychiatric clinic. The action garnered a lot of sympathy. Neighbors brought pans of soup or joined the group. The farm was patched up, the association "Ons Genoegen" (Our Pleasure) was founded.
Tying up the apron
Brigit Nieuwburg (manager at De Regenboog Groep until 2020) spearheaded the operation of Ons Genoegen as a neighborhood farm. She is the "don't bullshit but polish" type. So when De Regenboog Groep received the key to operate the place from the municipality in 2010 year, Brigit tied an apron. "We are a volunteer organization. We knew nothing about hospitality. But someone had to do it!" Since then, people have been enthusiastically working on a sympathetic piece of Amsterdam and, at the same time, thriving catering establishment. Anno 2024, twenty-two participants from a Wmo-trajectory and thirteen volunteers can gain work experience here and thus discover where their passion lies. This happens under the guidance of five professionals. For guests, The Buurtboerderij is a place where they can enjoy lunch and dinner, where courses are given, such as yoga. And where cultural events take place once in a while. Think outdoor cinema, live music and the Neighborhood Farm Festival.
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"We are a volunteer organization. We didn't know anything about hospitality. But someone had to do it!"
Mildness towards each other
Bart Blaauw has been project manager of The Buurtboerderij since 2013. According to him, a combination of factors makes De Buurtboerderij unique: "Catering prices are still relatively low at our place and it is a paradise here in terms of greenery and social interaction. Guests come into contact with people they would otherwise not easily meet, which may change their image. The world is getting tougher and tougher, globally, but also locally. At The Buurtboerderij, you experience a gentleness you don't often feel in other places anymore. It can't be soft enough for me. Not in the sense of woolly socks and flower power, but in dealing with each other."
Giving shine to life
Blaauw calls people "social animals"; they need each other. "The group we support includes young adults with burnout, people coming out of psychosis, status holders, and people with autistic spectrum disorders. We want to offer them a safe place. With us they find structure, social contacts and appreciation. These are the pillars that are important for each individual to be able to function well and that give life its luster. These are people who can become lonely if that sparkle is not there for too long. Then other problems sometimes arise, such as substance abuse. By providing those three pillars, we want to be a safety net for them."
Devastating fire
On Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, a devastating fire broke out on the upstairs floor of Buurtboerderij Ons Genoegen. Fortunately, no people or animals were injured, but the damage is extensive. The Buurtboerderij is expected to reopen in 2026. There is weekly contact with all of our participants and some have since found substitute day care. And we have succeeded in starting a Buurtboerderij-pop-up on the Marineterrein, where we will be able to accommodate many of our participants, volunteers and staff.
De Buurtboerderij in 1972
A burned down neighborhood farm causes much grief for volunteers
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