Entrepreneurship runs in their DNA.
Welcome to Kaasboerderij Schep, where entrepreneurship runs deep in the DNA of Jaap and Rianne — the 8th generation of farmers in their family. At their farm, they proudly welcome visitors from the Netherlands and abroad to experience Dutch farm life and discover the many products it has to offer.
Challenges are not avoided here — they’re embraced as opportunities. That mindset has helped them build a thriving and forward-thinking farm over the years.
the cooperative
For as long as the family can remember, Kaasboerderij Schep has been a proud member of Coöperatie De Producent. So when Jaap and Rianne took over the farm, continuing the membership was a natural decision — other options were never even considered.
Both are highly motivated and committed members with a true heart for the cooperative. After all, you're stronger together. Jaap even served as chairman of the board for several years, dedicating his time and energy to supporting the cooperative and its members.
more than cheesse
Since 1969, the Schep family farm has been located in the Krimpenerwaard. It all began with twenty-five cows, four heifers, three calves, sixteen hectares of land, ten piglets, and one sow. Fifty years later, the farm has grown into a thriving operation with eight hundred cows spread across two locations — and cheese is made six days a week.
In addition to 5 and 8 kg cheeses, the farm is especially known for producing the big boys: 60, 30, and 25 kg wheels, all of which are sold in their on-site farm shop. The quality of their cheeses speaks for itself — proudly displayed in their trophy cabinet is the Cum Laude Award for the best Boerenkaas in the Netherlands, which they won in 2010.
Due to increasing demand for other dairy products, they’ve also set up a dedicated dairy section where they produce (chocolate) milk, buttermilk, yogurt, and vla. The former hay barn has been transformed into a welcoming space for meetings and events, and visitors from both the Netherlands and abroad are invited to take guided or self-led tours of the farm.
Once a year, in spring, they host the beloved Koeiendans — the joyful moment when the cows are let out to pasture for the first time after winter. The event is accompanied by various (farm-themed) activities and draws a large crowd of visitors every year.
the future
Optimising and future-proofing are essential in any modern farming business. That’s why the Schep family is constantly exploring new investments to improve efficiency and sustainability. The energy needed for the farm is generated by solar panels, and solar collectors are used to heat the water required for the cheesemaking process.
At the moment, they’re working on upgrading their rotary milking parlour into a robotic rotary system — another step toward optimising the milking process. But it’s not just about technology. Their son Tim is already actively involved on the farm and preparing to take the reins in the future.
The family also contributes to preserving the iconic Dutch polder landscape through active landscape management and protection of meadow birds. That way, even after Tim, many generations of the Schep family can continue farming in these beautiful Hollandse polders.
