Hello, I am Lieven De Backer, a kiwiberry grower for Hoogstraten since 2012. In 2007, I graduated as a Bioengineer from the University of Ghent. Immediately after my studies, I was able to start working as a manager for the IWT project 'Phytomonitoring in greenhouse vegetables - The talking plant' at the experimental center for agriculture and horticulture in Rumbeke - Beitem (POVLT). After 1 year, I decided to move on and started working at tree nursery Sylva BVBA in my home village of Waarschoot. I am still working there and am now responsible for the production of forest and hedge plants. Through my Bioengineer training in agriculture, I accidentally came into contact with the kiwiberry. From my interest in agriculture and horticulture, from home (farmer's son) and from my education, I was eager to do something in the sector myself, on a self-employed basis. Given that we had the opportunity to buy an old vegetable farm in Drongen with some land, this was the perfect time to take the plunge. In the spring of 2010, we planted about 265 female kiwiberry plants, divided over 4 varieties: Weiki, Ken's Red, Geneva and Jumbo. On the remaining land, we grow Taxus seedlings and some Christmas trees on a small scale. Enjoy your meal!