At Bert’s Berry Farm, our story is one of passion, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. It all began in the Netherlands, where our founder, Bert van Geffen, was raised in a family of dedicated horticulturists. From the early days of helping his father in their family glasshouse to leading groundbreaking projects across the globe. Bert’s journey has been defined by a love for growing and a commitment to advancing horticulture. We’d like to invite you to continue reading our journey from Dutch Roots to Pioneering New Zealand’s Strawberry Industry.

Dutch Horticultural Expertise

Dutch Strawberries in Punnets – Private Collection Family van Geffen

Bert’s connection to plants runs deep—he often says that the horticultural business runs through his veins. As a young boy, he helped his family cultivate strawberries in the spring and tomatoes in the autumn, learning the value of hard work and the intricate balance required to grow thriving crops. When market conditions in the Netherlands shifted, Bert adapted by transitioning to growing flowers like carnations, lysianthus, and chrysanthemums, showcasing his ability to innovate in the face of change.

Over the years, Bert has gained extensive experience. From managing high-tech greenhouses to leading horticultural operations all over the world. In countries as diverse as Canada, Denmark, the USA, and, of course, New Zealand. His expertise spans both organic and conventional crops. Together with a strong specialisation in climate control and advanced growing methods such as HPS and LED lighting. Bert’s ability to “read plants” has become one of his greatest strengths, enabling him to fine-tune growing conditions to meet the unique needs of each crop.

Mentorship and Innovation in Horticulture

For many years, Bert has been a mentor to commercial growers, sharing his extensive expertise as a horticultural coach. His role goes beyond troubleshooting—it’s about empowering growers to overcome challenges and unlock the full potential of their crops. From development to maintenance, Bert helps growers implement effective solutions to a wide range of issues, tailoring his approach to the unique needs of each grower and their environment.

Horticulture is more than a profession for Bert—it’s a way of life. “The horticultural business runs through my veins,” he often says. Reflecting the passion that drives him to help growers achieve the best possible outcomes season after season. With an innate ability to think outside the box, Bert specialises in developing unconventional ideas and innovative solutions that boost profits and ensure long-term success for every grower he works with. Check here if you’d like to know more Your Horticulture Coach.

Global Expertise, Local Impact

In 2019, Bert took on one of his most ambitious projects to date: leading the establishment of an 8-hectare indoor strawberry facility for the Star Group & Star Produce in British Columbia, Canada. This pioneering endeavour introduced large-scale strawberry cultivation under lights, further cementing Bert’s reputation as an innovator in the industry.

In 2022, Bert and his wife Brigitte returned to New Zealand. Both eager to bring their wealth of knowledge and experience back to the place they proudly call home. They quickly identified key challenges in New Zealand’s strawberry industry, including the need for higher-quality plant varieties suitable for covered crop growing and the persistent issue of cyclamen mites.

Founding Bert’s Berry Farm

Great Lake Tomatoes Ltd Reporoa ©Bert van Geffen

In June 2022, Bert & Brigitte partnered with long-time friend, colleague and fellow horticulture entrepreneur Ton Zwetsloot to establish Bert’s Berry Farm Ltd. Their shared vision was clear: to transform New Zealand’s strawberry industry by providing commercial growers with exceptional TRAY PLANTS and innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges of covered crop farming.

By October 2023, Bert and Brigitte had moved onto their property and begun building a propagation facility from scratch. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a specialised plant sauna to eliminate cyclamen mites, this facility represents the culmination of decades of expertise and a steadfast commitment to quality.

Our Approach; Strawberry Industry Innovation

At Bert’s Berry Farm, we believe that exceptional plants are the foundation of every successful harvest. That’s why we’ve invested in advanced growing techniques and rigorous quality control measures to ensure that every tray plant we produce meets the highest standards. Our innovative plant sauna technology guarantees that our plants are free from pests, diseases, and fungi. Giving growers peace of mind and a strong start to the growing season.

But our commitment doesn’t stop at quality plants. We’re passionate about building partnerships with our growers. That is why we are offering personalised support, expert guidance, and a wealth of resources to help them succeed. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or new to the industry, we’re here to be part of your team.

A Legacy of Excellence

With over 50 years of experience, Bert’s journey has been marked by a relentless drive to push boundaries and find innovative solutions to complex challenges. His ability to think outside the box and come up with unconventional ideas has helped growers around the world. To maximise their yields, improve their operations, and build sustainable businesses.

Why Growers Choose Bert’s Berry Farm

Growers across New Zealand are choosing Bert’s Berry Farm not only because they trust in our expertise. But also our commitment to quality, our ability to deliver results, and to build a partnership. Our Dutch roots, combined with years of international experience, give us a unique perspective on how to optimize growing conditions and achieve success in covered crop systems.

From providing cyclamen mite-free plants to tailoring climate settings for maximum productivity, we’re dedicated to helping New Zealand’s strawberry growers thrive. By working together, we’re not just cultivating plants. We’re cultivating a future where covered crop farming is more sustainable, innovative, and profitable than ever before.

Let’s Grow Together High-Quality Strawberry Plants

At Bert’s Berry Farm, our story is just beginning, and we’re excited to partner with you on this journey. Whether you’re looking for high-quality tray plants, expert advice, or a trusted partner to help you achieve your goals, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Welcome to Bert’s Berry Farm—where passion meets precision, and innovation transforms potential into success.