But she looked, wrote, and learned about the agricultural sector for the first time. She married dairy farmer Gijs Bakhuysen in Abcoud, a true thrifty farmer who limited the use of fertilizers and concentrates as much as possible. When the government decided in 2016 that this group of farmers should also sell cows to put Holland back on the manure cap, even though they had not contributed to the growth of the dairy herd, it took action by starting an online petition. Successfully. The farmers on the land did not have to hand over any cows.

Farms and environment

After that, her career in agricultural advocacy quickly took off. She became an employee of the Farmers and Environment Conservation Association, and later also became policy officer of the Dutch Dairy Farmers’ Union, of which Harm Wigerma of Rinsumageast was president at the time. This position brought her into contact with Caroline van de Plas, who was active in the pig farming sector at the time. Together they formed the basis of Team Agro NL, an organization that was mainly active online highlighting the great value of Dutch agriculture. Together they also co-founded BoerBurgerBeweging.

The Hague policy is addictive

In the 2021 parliamentary elections, she was No. 2 on the list of candidates for this new party, and just lost entry to the House of Representatives. But as a close associate of Caroline van der Plas, she was very active in The Hague’s politics in the background. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. “It’s really addictive,” she said regularly. However, she chose to return to Friesland during the state elections in March last year. She was floated as a running mate early during the campaign. A position she was also able to claim thanks to the BBB’s resounding electoral victory. She set to work with all her might to make four wonderful years in and for Friesland. Until Caroline called…