He may be a newcomer to Vijfhuizen, but Rob van Haaster has become an integral part of this Ringvaart village – and not just because of his impressive bulb-growing company on Spieringweg or his involvement with local football club DSOV. After all, he played there himself and is now mainly busy with sponsorship. This role suits him well, because he certainly has a way with words as well as a stro...

What kind of company do you run? “Together with my brother and two sons, I have a flower bulb business and hyacinth forcing facility. We grow flower bulbs on about 80 hectares, mainly hyacinths. We also focus on growing tulip bulbs and narcissi. The flower bulbs mainly go into dry sales – in other words, these are the bulbs that end up in gardens. A further share goes to traders and colleague...