A look behind the scenes at De Wassum:
Lambs, nature management and wool with a story
Spring is in the air. Blossom appears on the trees, birds are singing and lambs are skipping through the grass in the meadow. At De Wassum, an organisation that has been using sheep flocks for nature management in North and Central Limburg since 1988, spring is a busy but special season.
A barn full of new life
On a lightly cloudy spring day I walk onto the yard of the Beatrixhoeve, one of the locations of De Wassum. Inside the barn it is bustling: around 800 lambs are born here this spring. The first ones are already playing outside in the meadow, while the twins stay inside a little longer. While a sheep nibbles on my jacket, I look into the pen with the newborn lambs. In the straw the youngest hop around cheerfully – some only a day old. They wobble on their legs and chase each other while their mothers happily eat fresh hay.
Sheep as natural lawn mowers
What makes these sheep extra special is their role in the management of Limburg’s nature. De Wassum uses its flocks in areas such as the Meinweg and the Beegderheide. There they make sure grasslands stay open, shrubs do not overgrow everything and rare plants get the space they need to grow. With their hooves they loosen the soil just enough for new seeds to germinate.
From sheep to scarf
De Wassum has around 1500 sheep, and they are sheared every spring. The soft, warm wool is carefully sorted. The best material goes to their own workshop on the farm, where beautiful products are made under the name “Farm to Knit” with great craftsmanship. Sweaters, scarves and hats – each one unique and with a story.
What makes this process even more special is that De Wassum breeds with its own rams, carefully selected for the quality of their wool. This way they continuously work on improving both their flock and their product. And what is not suitable for clothing? That certainly is not thrown away. The coarser wool gets a second life as ground cover in food forests. This way everything is truly used.
'Lemkes kieke'
One of the highlights of spring is the Lamb Viewing Day on Easter Monday, April 6 and Sunday, April 12. From 10 to 3 the barn doors open to the public and the farmyard is full of activity. You can admire the lambs up close, pet them and cuddle them. In addition, there is the opportunity to take a short horse ride and you can visit the wool workshop where craftsmanship and creativity come together. The shepherd enthusiastically talks about his work and the role the sheep play in nature management. An educational and enjoyable day for the whole family.
A spring experience not to miss
Lambs jumping in the straw, soft bleating in the background and the smell of fresh hay in the air – a visit to De Wassum feels like a small escape into the real countryside. You do not have to be a sheep lover to walk around here with a smile. Want to experience it yourself? Visit during the Lamb Viewing Days or keep an eye on their activities.
By: Fleur
