A hopeful vision that connects us all
In times where natural destruction is ingrained in our way of living, we need people to show us that there are alternatives. That show us that we can change our relationship with nature by starting to collaborate with her again.
Idealistic visionary Henk Wansink, who was also farmer of de Meander, was such a person. He had a deep connection to nature and an ability to transmit his enthusiasm for it to a lot of people. His deepest wish was to restore the natural landscape and for humanity to connect to nature again.

Biological farm 'De Meander'
Henk Wansink and his wife Marrie Nijsingh took over biological farm de Meander in 1988. They had a strong idealistic approach that went further than just biological practices without pesticides. They used biodynamic regenerative principles to improve the soil and landscape while producing natural, healthy quality food. Ingraining human connection as an important part of their way running the farm resulted in a strongly connected network around them and a collaboration with health enterprise ‘In groene handen’. And apart from the hard work, it resulted in an open, warm and lighthearted atmosphere where ideals and earning a livelihood were combined.

Foundation 'het Anker'
But this was just the start for Henk. In 2012 his idealism found a new expressive form: foundation ‘het Anker was created with some strong supporters of the vision of collaborating with nature. They developed a plan called ‘Levend Land goed’ (Living landscape) to restore the bigger natural landscape where the grounds of the Meander are part of.
The main objective of foundation 'het Anker' is to restore the natural area called 'de Hogenenk' and its ecosystems by connecting the various pieces of land and restoring its natural elements. The method of the foundation is to acquire pieces of land of de Hogenenk (making it 'free' from exploitation) and holistically restore and integrate them in the natural landscape. And by doing so, connecting the bigger area so the natural ecosystem can be restored.

Continuing the vision
Sadly the visionary Henk passed away last year so it is up to all of us to continue the vision that is so urgently needed in times where natural destruction is the norm. He laid the fundamentals of a story that is way bigger than himself or anybody else, but that connects us all.

Now his wife Marrie continues the farm, supported by a new young motivated farmer couple. One of them completed an internship at de Meander, being mentored by Henk. The circle is round. The farm continues to produce quality food from healthy soils. And the same goes for the foundation: The land of farm 'de Meander' is part of De Hogenenk landscape, and the pieces of land that foundation het Anker newly acquired as well. This brings us closer to restoring the natural landscape and collaborating with nature.
On top of that, the foundation organized planting actions in the end of 2020 on one of the newly acquired pieces of land. A big variety of bushes and trees boosts the area and increases biodiversity. And in the middle of this piece of land three oak trees are proudly standing close to each other. The trees are donated by people connected to the landscape, and planted by Henk’s wife and 3 sons. And Henk is still showing us the way: his ashes feed these three oak trees in the middle of this newly ‘freed’ piece of land. He is literally part of his own plans.

We are proud to pick up where he left off. We continue to contribute to a hopeful movement that is bigger than anybody, and that connects us all. And that builds on a hopeful future.