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Tour at Hollandse Hoogtes

Director Frans van Dijk briefly addressed the assembled press and other guests from a stage in the canteen on 7 April, the day the Dutch government's cannabis experiment entered its final phase.
Director Frans van Dijk briefly addressed the assembled press and other guests from a stage in the canteen on 7 April, the day the Dutch government's cannabis experiment entered its final phase.
Then it was time to cut the cake, or rather the 'space cake' (no trace of cannabis found though)
Then it was time to cut the cake, or rather the 'space cake' (no trace of cannabis found though)
Not long after, the canteen filled up with the employees who, for charity, had to make room in the fridges. There was enough cake for everyone in the canteen full of tulips,in proper Dutch style.
Not long after, the canteen filled up with the employees who, for charity, had to make room in the fridges. There was enough cake for everyone in the canteen full of tulips,in proper Dutch style.
April 7 has been long awaited by the ten selected growers in the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment. Hollandse Hoogtes was one of the growers to be in production well in time, something not all ten growers could achieve
April 7 has been long awaited by the ten selected growers in the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment. Hollandse Hoogtes was one of the growers to be in production well in time, something not all ten growers could achieve
Peter Prijs is quality manager at Hollandse Hoogtes. He gave tours together with his colleagues Rick Bakker (Commercial Director) and Frans van Dijk (CEO).
Peter Prijs is quality manager at Hollandse Hoogtes. He gave tours together with his colleagues Rick Bakker (Commercial Director) and Frans van Dijk (CEO).
The cultivation facility's irrigation room with familiar techniques from Trintech and other suppliers, the same stuff you might encounter in tomatoes or chrysanthemums.
The cultivation facility's irrigation room with familiar techniques from Trintech and other suppliers, the same stuff you might encounter in tomatoes or chrysanthemums.
Hollandse Hoogtes reuses as much water as possible, but also has the option of discharging a limited volume to the sewer in accordance with agreements with the municipality.
Hollandse Hoogtes reuses as much water as possible, but also has the option of discharging a limited volume to the sewer in accordance with agreements with the municipality.
The green floor indicates the cultivation area, with an automated container system with cultivation tables. It can get very hot in the greenhouse complex, sometimes even too hot as it turned out last summer. That is why Hollandse Hoogtes plans to cover the greenhouse roof with solar panels.
The green floor indicates the cultivation area, with an automated container system with cultivation tables. It can get very hot in the greenhouse complex, sometimes even too hot as it turned out last summer. That is why Hollandse Hoogtes plans to cover the greenhouse roof with solar panels.
There are air conditioners and air scrubbers all over the cultivation facility to keep the temperature in the greenhouse complex under control, and the smell bearable. Since starting cultivation, lessons have been learned in this regard. After complaints about odor nuisance in the beginning, the smelly problem was tackled with the help of a consultancy firm and with new investments.
There are air conditioners and air scrubbers all over the cultivation facility to keep the temperature in the greenhouse complex under control, and the smell bearable. Since starting cultivation, lessons have been learned in this regard. After complaints about odor nuisance in the beginning, the smelly problem was tackled with the help of a consultancy firm and with new investments.
KG Greenhouses built the complex, which had to resemble a greenhouse complex because of the zoning plan. Hollandse Hoogtes is located in the greenhouse area named NEXTgarden.
KG Greenhouses built the complex, which had to resemble a greenhouse complex because of the zoning plan. Hollandse Hoogtes is located in the greenhouse area named NEXTgarden.
In this corridor, we encounter 10 cultivation cells of 330 square metres each. The roller conveyor allows the cultivation tables to move from cultivation cell to the processing area.
In this corridor, we encounter 10 cultivation cells of 330 square metres each. The roller conveyor allows the cultivation tables to move from cultivation cell to the processing area.
Even in the corridor you can see yellow traps for catching unwanted flying guests.
Even in the corridor you can see yellow traps for catching unwanted flying guests.
We go into a cultivation cell with Total Quality Manager Peter Prijs. Peter previously worked in the supermarket business, where he was also responsible for quality.
We go into a cultivation cell with Total Quality Manager Peter Prijs. Peter previously worked in the supermarket business, where he was also responsible for quality.
In total, Hollandse Hoogtes can grow 46 varieties.
In total, Hollandse Hoogtes can grow 46 varieties.
There are around 4 cannabis varieties per cultivation cell, which are similar in terms of flowering phase.
There are around 4 cannabis varieties per cultivation cell, which are similar in terms of flowering phase.
Not all strains grow equally tall.
Not all strains grow equally tall.
The mesh supports the tops of the plants.
The mesh supports the tops of the plants.
Hollandse Hoogtes has the option to continue growing with another eight cultivation cells in the complex plants grow under LED lights.
Hollandse Hoogtes has the option to continue growing with another eight cultivation cells in the complex plants grow under LED lights.
The cannabis plants are grown on stone wool blocks from Grodan.
The cannabis plants are grown on stone wool blocks from Grodan.
Track & trace is being implemented per the strictly government-regulated experiment.
Track & trace is being implemented per the strictly government-regulated experiment.
For the crop to thrive, optimum humidity, CO2 levels and also light spectrum are needed.
For the crop to thrive, optimum humidity, CO2 levels and also light spectrum are needed.
Holland Heights chose full spectrum white LED light.
Holland Heights chose full spectrum white LED light.
Needless to say, but the plants do be smelling 
Needless to say, but the plants do be smelling 
At the end of the corridor, behind the glass wall, there is still room to build more cultivation cells. For this phase of the experiment, the current capacity is enough, says Quality Manager Peter Prijs, but they are already looking ahead and want to remain flexible with extra capacity.
At the end of the corridor, behind the glass wall, there is still room to build more cultivation cells. For this phase of the experiment, the current capacity is enough, says Quality Manager Peter Prijs, but they are already looking ahead and want to remain flexible with extra capacity.
Different kind of labels, orange this time 
Different kind of labels, orange this time 
Hollandse Hoogtes strives for ISO standards, although the Dutch government does not oblige growers to do so.
Hollandse Hoogtes strives for ISO standards, although the Dutch government does not oblige growers to do so.
The cultivation rooms use bottom and top pressure to keep pests out and also keep the smell of cannabis indoors.
The cultivation rooms use bottom and top pressure to keep pests out and also keep the smell of cannabis indoors.
In this room, tables of harvest-ready cannabis plants return to be prepared for the processing room.
In this room, tables of harvest-ready cannabis plants return to be prepared for the processing room.
Here, mesh can be applied to the cultivation tables.
Here, mesh can be applied to the cultivation tables.
Drying rooms 
Drying rooms 
Plenty of air-conditioning capacity to dry the moisture out of the crop.
Plenty of air-conditioning capacity to dry the moisture out of the crop.
More drying rooms will soon be added to the complex of Holland Heights. Now there are three.
More drying rooms will soon be added to the complex of Holland Heights. Now there are three.
3-kilo bags allow the harvested product to 'mature', just like wine in bags, Peter Prijs, Total Quality Manager, explained to local news media and MMJDaily during the tour.
3-kilo bags allow the harvested product to 'mature', just like wine in bags, Peter Prijs, Total Quality Manager, explained to local news media and MMJDaily during the tour.
Once dried, the cannabis can go to the rooms where manual, or sometimes even automated trimming, takes place.
Once dried, the cannabis can go to the rooms where manual, or sometimes even automated trimming, takes place.
Holland Heights currently employs around 140 people, and that number is set to grow.
Holland Heights currently employs around 140 people, and that number is set to grow.
Trimming is mostly done manually.
Trimming is mostly done manually.
In the trimming room, there is a competition going on among the staff. On everyone's pocket is a name. Who trims the most at the end of the day?
In the trimming room, there is a competition going on among the staff. On everyone's pocket is a name. Who trims the most at the end of the day?
The trim waste is used to produce hashish.
The trim waste is used to produce hashish.
Employees enter through employment agencies, but not without first being screened and having a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Employees enter through employment agencies, but not without first being screened and having a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Despite plenty of trimming, it is noticeable that the cannabis smell in this room is limited. The state-of-the-art air scrubbers with carbon filters, UV filters and ionizers are doing a good job. There are 18 in total, Peter says.
Despite plenty of trimming, it is noticeable that the cannabis smell in this room is limited. The state-of-the-art air scrubbers with carbon filters, UV filters and ionizers are doing a good job. There are 18 in total, Peter says.
For cultivation, Hollandse Hoogtes can also rely on employees with experience from abroad. Experienced specialists from Wageningen University & Research are also at hand.
For cultivation, Hollandse Hoogtes can also rely on employees with experience from abroad. Experienced specialists from Wageningen University & Research are also at hand.
This is how the dried product comes in.
This is how the dried product comes in.
Outside the trimming room is a weighing scale. Again, track & trace, and control how many kilos of crop come in and out.
Outside the trimming room is a weighing scale. Again, track & trace, and control how many kilos of crop come in and out.
The packing room.
The packing room.
The supervisor, who used to be a carpenter, knows where you make the best pictures and takes us straight up the stairs.
The supervisor, who used to be a carpenter, knows where you make the best pictures and takes us straight up the stairs.
Here, the product is processed from 3-kilo bags, with this machine accurately weighing each bud.
Here, the product is processed from 3-kilo bags, with this machine accurately weighing each bud.
In sealed bags, the cannabis comes out of the machine.
In sealed bags, the cannabis comes out of the machine.
In this case, no sealed greenhouse vegetables on the turntable, but bags containing a few grams of cannabis.
In this case, no sealed greenhouse vegetables on the turntable, but bags containing a few grams of cannabis.
Peter Prijs, Quality Manager at Holland Heights, shows the machines that allow automated trimming. Otherwise, it mainly involves a lot of manual trimming.
Peter Prijs, Quality Manager at Holland Heights, shows the machines that allow automated trimming. Otherwise, it mainly involves a lot of manual trimming.
Labelling pre-rolls.
Labelling pre-rolls.
Packaging of labelled product.
Packaging of labelled product.
Track & trace is visible at every step of the production process.
Track & trace is visible at every step of the production process.
So the product goes in bags to the vault, ready for order picking and secure transport.
So the product goes in bags to the vault, ready for order picking and secure transport.
Participants in the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment are not allowed to advertise, but they are allowed to deliver their product in custom packaging to participating coffee shops. Holland Heights' bags depicting cows with wings certainly stand out.
Participants in the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment are not allowed to advertise, but they are allowed to deliver their product in custom packaging to participating coffee shops. Holland Heights' bags depicting cows with wings certainly stand out.
In May 2023, the first pillar for the new Hollandse Hoogtes building in Bemmel went into the ground. One year later, the complex was operational, and then it was looking forward to the final phase of the experiment. On 7 April, CEO Frans van Dijk was finally able to cut the cake to celebrate.
In May 2023, the first pillar for the new Hollandse Hoogtes building in Bemmel went into the ground. One year later, the complex was operational, and then it was looking forward to the final phase of the experiment. On 7 April, CEO Frans van Dijk was finally able to cut the cake to celebrate.
Cannabis grower Hollandse Hoogtes is located in greenhouse area NEXTgarden in Bemmel.
Cannabis grower Hollandse Hoogtes is located in greenhouse area NEXTgarden in Bemmel.
Greetings from Holland Heights
Greetings from Holland Heights