Hello, we are Robert and Brie Lemiegre-Buseyne, a kiwiberry farmer for Hoogstraten since 2013. In 1984 we took over the farm of Robert's parents together; a mixed farm on 26ha of arable land with fattening cattle, suckler cows, sows and a small amount of fattening pigs. Over the years we expanded the business to a closed pig farm with 180 sows and 1,500 fattening pigs, 120 cattle and 40 hectares of arable land. Due to the persistently poor prices in the pig and cattle sector, we looked for an alternative a few years ago. Our son Joren studied at HoGent and found out about the kiwiberry from Filip Debersacques' son. It seemed like something interesting and so we contacted Filip about the cultivation, the activities, etc.. So we contacted Filip about the cultivation, work, etc. of the kiwiberry. We then decided to go for it and in November 2009 we started with the planting of 1 ha of kiwiberries. In 2010 we bought a sprinkler system and in 2011 we expanded our water well considerably to meet the water needs of the kiwiberries. In the spring of 2013, we stopped having cattle. We did invest in housing for sows and continue to fatten our piglets on our farm in Elverdinge. In the spring of 2013, a large part of our kiwiberry plantation died. This was a financial disaster. We are now trying to plant another variety (Geneva) in the autumn and hope that this variety will do better in our sandy loam soil. Our day starts at 6.30 am and in busy times at 6 am. We have breakfast together and then go to work on the various tasks; feeding sows and fattening pigs, ploughing, etc. Depending on the season, various jobs need to be done in the kiwiberry plantation: pruning, guiding, weeding, etc. When harvesting, it is important that the kiwiberries have the right brix value. We work hard but we do it with a warm heart for the company. We also make time for ourselves and our family. Every year we try to take a week off. We both like to read, but we also have other hobbies. Robert plays cards with friends every week, he likes watching films and has taken sailing lessons. I play volleyball twice a week. I am also a member of a neighbourhood work group and a board member of KVLV-agra where we support the female farmers and horticulturists. In 2013, we harvested kiwiberries for the first time and brought them to Coöperatie Hoogstraten. We are grateful for the commitment of Coöperatie Hoogstraten and Hogent (with Filip Debersacques, Omer). We, as growers, will continue to do our best so that the story of the kiwiberry may be 'a never ending story'. Enjoy your meal!