Niche grower Maurits Keppel is one of the finalists for the Royal FloraHolland Greenovation Award 2024. He owes this nomination because of his efforts to produce energy-neutral and organic summer flowers.
Royal FloraHolland Greenovation Award
Sustainability, novelties, and innovation are important for the floriculture sector. Royal FloraHolland stimulates sustainable developments in the chain and has therefore created the Greenovation Award in 2018. In this way, Royal FloraHolland provides an extra platform for sustainable development. The Greenovation Award is a prize for sustainable product and concept innovations in floriculture. Every year, this award is presented during the Trade Fair Aalsmeer in front of more than 17,000 visitors.
Nominee for 2024: Maurits Keppel
Utrecht-based specialty grower Mautits Keppel is one of the eleven names on the shortlist for winning this year's prestigious Greenovation Award. And he has good reason to want to win this prize.
Maurits:
"Since our cut flowers are grown in the most sustainable way—organic and energy-neutral—we are registered with the Skal Biocontrol certification. I am super happy that this is recognized by Royal FloraHolland. My nomination is a clear incentive for the labor I daily put into my cut flowers."
Keppel has a heart for nature, especially for his increasing assortment of niche flowers. Together with his flock of chickens, he and his wife manage the greenhouses on a piece of land closeby to the city of Utrecht right in the middle of the Netherlands. It's a haven of peace and quietness in the middle of the busy hub of the Dutch highway network on the edge of the Randstad region.
Maurits explains why he chose this path for his business, instead of going for mass production:
"I find it very interesting to discover how harmful and non-harmful insects, fungi, and bacteria react to flowers and plants. In my nursery, I want to offer a good alternative to regularly grown flowers and to give a positive impression of floriculture as a whole. And just look at the beautiful results. When you see my products, you can understand the beauty that Mother Earth is giving us."
Winning the Greenovation Award...?
Keppel's approach stands out for its zero chemical usage and emphasis on natural processes, something that more and more consumers are valuing. His nomination places him among the top innovators in the horticulture industry who are rethinking production methods to prioritize the planet’s health.
But there are in total eleven nominees after this grand award. All are initiatives that will help a more sustainable floriculture forward. He just hopes that he will stand out just a bit more.
Maurits:
"I am absolutely keen on winning the Greenovation Award, so I hope many people will support me and my ideas of sustainable flower farming."
If you believe in the story of Maurits Keppel, just go to the website of Royal FloraHolland with all finalists and cast your vote. The winners will be put in the spotlight during a festive award ceremony on 5 November Trade Fair Aalsmeer. You can vote until Sunday 27 October 2024.
Header and feature image by Royal FloraHolland.
