Oldambt: the grain republic
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land of opposites
The Oldambt is the land of grains and infinite horizons. Of majestic manors with their meandering gardens. It is also the land of contrasts; in the landscape and, for a very long time, in society.
The golden grain
Oldambt and grain are practically synonymous. But until 1766 farmers along the Dollard mainly raised cattle. In that year the area was struck by rinderpest, killing all of the livestock in just a matter of years. Buying new cows was a huge investment, so the farmers switched to grain. A smart move.
Before the end of the century, during French times, the price of grain skyrocketed. Land was cheap and farmers were allowed to keep any land they reclaimed from the Dollard. Labour was also cheap. The population was expanding rapidly and all those mouths had to be fed. This combination of circumstances meant that grain farmers became richer while land labourers became poorer. This is one of the reasons for the origin of the 'red triangle', as the communist villages of Finsterwolde, Beerta and Nieuweschans were often referred to. It also explains the establishment of a new communist party here when the national CPN merged into Groen Links (the green party).
Graansmaaklaboratorium
The Graanrepubliek gained national fame from the book by Frank Westerman from 1999. Westerman wrote about the rise and fall of the grain barons and the influence of Groningen's Minister of Agriculture and Euro Commissioner Sicco Mansholt (1908 – 1995), a son of socialist gentleman farmers. His father was a provincial council member and representative for the SDAP (Social Democratic Labour Party) and his mother, Wabien Mansholt-Andreae, was one of the first female political scientists in the Netherlands. As Euro Commissioner Mansholt laid the foundation for the common European agricultural policy.
In recent years a modest revolution has been taking place in the grain republic. Not rich versus poor this time but regarding the transition of agriculture. Several grain farmers are working on sustainable food sources, a new and delicious food chain in harmony with nature. They are therefore cultivating old fashioned types of grain that are richer in flavour.
The headquarters of this agricultural revolution are located in Bad Nieuweschans. From the summer of 2021 the former steam train depot will be home to a co-op where farmers collaborate with food makers, including a bakery, a distillery and a malting plant. Discover this flavour lab in the beautifully renovated train depot in Bad Nieuweschans.
Discover more? - The best locations in Oldambt
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Hermans Dijkstra farm
Hermans Dijkstra farm
Restaurant Hermans Dijkstra is located in the barn of the farm. A lovely diner is possible from Thursday till Sunday evening....
Reinste Abdenaweg 1
9681 BC Midwolda -
Bed and Breakfast GArSTVRIJ
Bed and Breakfast GArSTVRIJ
Vanaf 1 april tot 1 oktober (*) stellen wij ons Gastenverblijf beschikbaar voor ondernemende en/of rustzoekende recreanten. (*)...
Bed & Breakfast GArSTVRIJ
1e Garstelaan 4
9678RS Westerlee -
Hostellerie Het Riet Blauwestad
Hostellerie Het Riet Blauwestad
Enjoy views from our rooftop terrace, relax in the peace and quiet of our beautiful home in Blauwestad in our double room...
Hostellerie Het Riet Blauwestad
Vikna 4
9685 HD Blauwestad -
Graansilo Watermann
Graansilo Watermann
De graansilo Watermann werd in 1950 gebouwd langs de Westerwoldse Aa, vlakbij de spoorlijn tussen Groningen en Duitsland....
Verlengde Hoofdstraat 1
9693 AB Bad Nieuweschans -
Camping Holland Poort
Camping Holland Poort
Camping Holland Poort Westerveld is een rustige kleine camping met ruime kampeerplaatsen (80-100m2) en twee trekkershoeskes....
W.Mettingstraat 18
9693 BX Bad Nieuweschans -
Holiday home Groningen | Svea Stuga
Holiday home Groningen | Svea Stuga
Enjoy the tranquility of the province of Groningen / Holland in our comfortable holiday home Svea Stuga, near the town of...
Kromme Elleboog 15
9684 XA Finsterwolde -
City Hotel Winschoten
City Hotel Winschoten
A nice hotel in the center of Winschoten, opposite train and bus station. All rooms have private bathrooms, smart TV and...
City Hotel Winschoten
Stationsweg 21
9671AL Winschoten -
Geel en Goud
Geel en Goud
In het voorjaar kleurt een groot deel van Oldambt geel. Van april tot juni bloeit het koolzaad en ligt een gele deken over...
9943 PA Oldambt
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