Published on 11-02-2025
The history of this family business dates back to 1920, when Jan's grandfather started a market garden cultivating tulips, gladioli, and vegetables. In 1950, Jan's father joined the business and worked alongside his father in the fields of the Kingdom of a Thousand Islands. This was a unique time when crops were transported by boat to the auction.The land consolidation efforts at the end of the 1960s brought significant changes. Many gardeners either quit or sought work elsewhere, but the Dirkmaat family seized the opportunity to settle in the Noordoostpolder.
In 1968, the business moved to Creil, where five-year-old Jan began a new chapter with his parents, brother, and sister. After completing his studies at the agricultural school in Emmeloord and gaining experience through internships, he worked alongside his father for 10 years before taking over the business in 1993. In 2000, Dirkmaat Creil B.V. relocated to its current site, enabling further growth and modernization.
While vegetables were also grown in the past, today’s focus is on tulips, gladioli, seed onions, and wheat. The tulip bulbs are sold both domestically and internationally; seed onions are exported worldwide; and wheat is used as a rotational crop to maintain soil quality.Jan describes himself as a "jack-of-all-trades." He coordinates daily operations, closely monitors crops, and manages administrative tasks. What he loves most about his work is the challenge of producing healthy crops and collaborating with colleagues, customers, and partners to continuously improve.
Since May 2024, Jan's son Daan has joined the business. Without any pressure, Daan is exploring where his talents and interests lie. While Jan would find it special if Daan were to take over the company in the future, he leaves that decision entirely up to him.In the meantime, Dirkmaat Creil B.V. is working hard on sustainability and innovation. Jan is part of the Practical Network for Flower Bulb Cultivation in Flevoland (Praktijknetwerk Bloembollenteelt Flevoland), where he collaborates with other flower bulb growers to make the sector more sustainable. Key priorities include:
✅ Strengthening crops to make them more resilient.
✅ Improving soil structure and promoting biodiversity.
✅ Optimizing collaboration with arable farmers and dairy producers.
✅ Reducing pesticides and emissions.
Jan is also involved in breeding initiatives such as Remarkable Tulips and MellFlower. He believes that developing stronger varieties is essential to reduce vulnerabilities while maintaining high quality standards.
One of Dirkmaat Creil B.V.'s longest-running partnerships is with Forever Bulbs. Over the years, both parties have built a strong foundation characterized by short communication lines, clear dialogue, and a shared vision. Together with Forever Bulbs and other gladiolus growers, Dirkmaat Creil looks toward the future with a key focus on developing strong and resilient varieties. This reduces cultivation risks while ensuring quality remains high despite ongoing challenges in the sector.
The company also aims to innovate technologically. Together with local growers and a regional machinery manufacturer, they are working on an automation project for tulip processing to make labor-intensive processes more efficient. Additionally, acquiring a selection robot is high on their wish list.Sustainability efforts are already underway with investments in solar panels and certifications. However, Jan continues to explore ways to become fully self-sufficient in energy needs—a goal he plans to delve deeper into in the coming years.
The agricultural sector is changing rapidly, bringing both challenges and opportunities. According to Jan, public opinion about agriculture and sustainability isn't always nuanced: “It’s not about pollution but about regulations,” he states. "Water quality has already improved significantly, but without proper crop protection measures, it becomes increasingly labor-intensive to grow profitable and high-quality products while we search for more sustainable solutions."Labor costs and housing have become more expensive, but Jan sees opportunities in automation and collaboration. He appreciates how younger generations bring fresh perspectives to modern agriculture.
One thing is certain: the name Dirkmaat stands for craftsmanship, collaboration, and cultivating exceptional products.
