Skip to main content
16 March 2023

Who doesn’t know the farmer… FarmCamps Mariekerke

These are Albert and Annelie. Albert was born and raised on the farm in Mariekerke, and Annelie originally comes from Kruiningen. Together, they run a sheep farm. They milk sheep and make yogurt and cheese. They also have a few cows (as a hobby) and sell meat packages (Blond d’Aquitaine). Albert and Annelie live on the farm with farmer Ko and farmer’s wife Nelleke, Albert’s parents. They met each other through their Social Work studies.

How many animals do you have on the farm?

300 sheep, 5 cows, chickens, goats, ducks, rabbits, and a pony.

Why did you become farmers?

Albert's older brother stopped running the business, which gave us the wonderful opportunity to continue on the farm.

What does a typical workday look like?

The day starts at 5:30 AM with milking. After that, we feed all the animals, and then we usually do some general maintenance and odd jobs around the farm. Around mid-afternoon, we feed the animals again, and at 5:00 PM, we milk again. At the end of the evening, we do another round of feeding for the sheep… and then lights out!

What do you enjoy most about your job and what do you enjoy least?

It’s a beautiful job with a lot of freedom. The least enjoyable aspects are the uncertainties we always have to account for (prices, illness). But fortunately, the positive aspects definitely outweigh the negative ones.

What do you do as a FarmCamps farmer on top of all the other work you already do?

Cleaning all the facilities, organizing and running activities, and keeping the guests satisfied. There are also several behind-the-scenes tasks that you don’t see but that need to be done, such as the administration.

Why did you want to become a FarmCamper?

The combination of running a farm and entertaining people, letting them experience farm life.

What is the best thing you've experienced with FarmCamps guests?

Too many to mention, but satisfied guests are always our goal.

Albert and Annelie’s Favorites

Favorite vacation:

Relaxing and not having to think about anything is enough for us.

Favorite hobbies:

Albert: Riding his motorbike. Annelie: Taking a nice walk on the beach or in the forest.

Favorite food:

Albert: Soup

Annelie: Carpaccio

Favorite animal:

Our dog Max.

Our FarmCamps farms can be found throughout the Netherlands. Curious? Visit our handy farms page to find them all.

Share this page

Farm life is this much fun

At FarmCamps, it’s all about being outdoors, cuddling the animals and enjoying time together. There’s always something happening on our farms, from milking cows to horse riding and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. See how much fun farm life can be!

More stories from the farm

19 February 2026
Sheep shearing: how does it work and when is it done?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5… Counting sheep before bedtime is something we all know. But did you know that at FarmCamps Mariekerke you can not only count sheep, but also help with shearing them? At this cosy sheep dairy farm near the Zeeland coast, Farmer Rutger will teach you all about sheep shearing. A unique experience for children (and parents!) you won’t forget anytime soon. 

13 February 2026
Holiday tips with children: what to do during the holidays

Holidaying with children is wonderful. No school, no sports clubs, no alarm clock. But by day two you’ll often hear the question: “What are we going to do today?” Kids get bored faster than you can say “ice cream”. And honestly? Parents want a holiday too. Not a full-time entertainer job. That’s why you’ll find a list of 30 holiday tips with children here: ideas for days out, at home activities, rainproof options and low-budget fun. Practical, easy to apply and suitable for different ages. And here’s a little spoiler: being outdoors and spending time in nature is almost always the golden solution to holiday boredom.  

05 February 2026
We’ve been nominated for the Shopping Awards 🎉

Great news: FarmCamps has been nominated for the Shopping Awards in the Travel category 🎉 An award for websites that excel in online usability – and that’s exactly what we work on every single day.

Because booking a holiday should be one thing above all: fun.

No hassle. No stress. Just… chickens 🐔😉

The Shopping Awards are annual awards for the best online shops in the Netherlands. Good to know: for the public awards, your vote really matters. No less than 50% of the final score comes from the public. 

04 February 2026
Luxury camping and the art of the perfect holiday cocktail

At FarmCamps, they understand that modern holidaymakers are looking for an authentic connection with nature without sacrificing comfort. The concept of farm glamping combines agricultural education with high-quality recreation, involving families directly in the daily activities on the farmyard. The experience of cocktailtjes.nl shows that this active form of relaxation supports mental calm and helps bridge the gap between city and countryside. While children learn the basics of livestock farming and play freely around the farm, parents can truly unwind in a lovely setting while enjoying one or more cocktails. Kids happy, you relaxed. 

04 February 2026
From the busy city to the calm of the countryside

Getting away from the daily hustle and bustle and sinking your wellies deep into the mud – that’s what a farm holiday is all about. While city life keeps you constantly switched on, the countryside encourages you to slow down and enjoy nature. The kids play outside all day, while you take it easy with a cup of coffee in the sun – kids happy, you relaxed.

03 February 2026
Adventurous outdoor life for the whole family in Southern Norway

A farm holiday stands for freedom, muddy wellies and learning where our food comes from. For families who love this kind of down-to-earth holiday, a trip to Kristiansand in Norway is a fantastic next step. Here you combine the charm of outdoor living with spectacular scenery. Instead of cows in Dutch fields, you’ll spot moose in vast forests and crabs in the sea. The principle remains the same: nature is the biggest and most beautiful playground there is. 

03 February 2026
Farm life, Italian style

Anyone who loves camping on a farm and the outdoor life will feel right at home in the south of Italy. The region of Puglia is known for its agricultural character, but with a Mediterranean twist. Instead of cows in the fields, you’ll find endless landscapes of olive groves and vineyards. Staying at an agriturismo or a masseria (a historic farmhouse) is the perfect way to experience this rural lifestyle. Children can play freely in nature while you enjoy the peace, space and tranquillity. 

03 February 2026
City and countryside combined

A farm holiday stands for freedom, playing in the mud and learning about nature. However, the experience of brugge.nl shows that many families like to combine this rural tranquillity with a cultural day trip. From experience, we know that during a FarmCamps holiday you’ll probably never want to leave the farmyard. But if you’re staying on a farm in the south, a visit to Bruges is literally just around the corner. It’s the perfect way for children to discover not only farm life, but also the rich history of a medieval city. 

03 February 2026
On the farm: how to get your dog used to other animals

Farm life sounds like a dream to many people, and for dogs it truly is one too. There are new scents to discover everywhere, plenty of space to run around, and all kinds of animals roaming about. Still, that first encounter with a cow, horse or chicken doesn’t always go smoothly. Out of sheer excitement or hunting instinct, your dog can get into serious trouble or scare the livestock badly. According to the experts at labradoodleinfo.nl, a calm and controlled introduction is therefore crucial for the safety of all animals on the farm.

28 January 2026
Get ready for a farm day with the kids: tips for a relaxed outing

A farm holiday is a wonderful way to truly get away together. Fresh air, animals up close, muddy boots and children fully immersed in outdoor life. With good preparation, your farm holiday becomes a relaxed and carefree adventure. 

Read more about our farms

Loading...