Corazon de Raeymaecker
It takes a lot of courage and hard work to transform a piece of land into a beautiful organic farm where vegetables, flowers, bees and farm-to-table initiatives coexist. Besides raising two children, Corazon de Raeymaecker is actively building a better world and a fairer food system. When I first heard of Grondsmaak and its beautiful founder, I was intrigued to know more of this fascinating place. Together with photographer Margaux van den Bossche, we made our way to Kontich and left feeling more inspired than ever to live a truer life, support local farmers and embrace our connection to nature.
Hi Corazon, can you start by introducing yourself?
Yes, of course! My name is Corazon, I’m married to Zeno Wendelen and together we have two daughters of 4 and 8 years old, Alma and Mathilda. Besides being a mother, I’m a farmer and owner of Grondsmaak, an organic farm I’ve started 12 years ago. In a past life, I used to be a model, but now I’m totally focused on growing and managing our farm in Kontich.
I’m a social and environmental entrepreneur, this means I’m not driven by profit or economical incentives, but my drive is rooted in social and climatological benefits. Our climate and food systems are under so much pressure. I feel that we have a responsibility to act. Building Grondsmaak is my way of contributing to a better world.
"I truly believe the essence of life lies in care: care for the land, care for the people of our community and care for ourselves as individuals, starting with the food we eat on a daily basis."
Can you share a bit more on the story behind your organic farm Grondsmaak?
Grondsmaak started 12 years ago out of my motivation to make a change in the world, to leave my mark. My grandparents had a farm and my uncle was a tomato farmer. I have so many memories of playing at the farm as a little girl, but I didn’t quite realize at the time that these type of small organizations were actually endangered because of their small scale. But you know, it was exactly that small scale that made me feel safe and secure at the farm. I’m convinced that these types of smaller organizations do have a place in society and a very important role to fill. This motivated me to start my Grondsmaak, a community- supported agriculture (CSA) farm.
The intimate relationship between consumers and us as producers — truly linked through the harvest — forms the basis of our farm structure. So it’s really the community that supports the farm, and together with the farmer, we create a viable business model. My role at the farm is mainly to grow the vegetables, to take care of the land, and to create as much diversity as possible. I truly believe the essence of life lies in care: care for the land, care for the people of our community and care for ourselves as individuals, starting with the food we eat on a daily basis.
This really resonated! I’m curious, what are your dreams for the future?
Oh oh, future dreams! Well, in the first place I wish Grondsmaak a beautiful and fertile future. And beyond my own farm, I wish much more initiatives may see the light that move away from a capitalistic system. I want us to become much more aware of the impact of local consumption, of knowing who farms our food and who eats our food. That’s really my dream for the future, to see this movement of local consumption and small-scale agriculture grow.
With the years passing at Grondsmaak, I’m starting to feel much less as a farmer, but more as a part of nature. I want to facilitate this more, to allow people to make and feel this connection too. I also want to invest more in the wellbeing of farmers. Taking care of our body and mind, through women’s circles, yoga, exercise. And besides this I would love to expand Grondsmaak with new partners, so that we can offer vegetable boxes and organic flowers beyond the harvesters at our own farm.
"I love a minimalistic selection of skincare, containing only really good natural products that get me through the day."
How is your relationship to your skin?
Up to 14 years ago I worked as a model, and my physical appearance and skin were very important. But I was young, and my skin has always been pretty good. It wasn’t until I became a farmer (and a mother!) that I realized that my skin is also related to nature. There’s the natural aging process, but it’s also because I’m working outside all day. I always wear my sun hat and I protect my skin with SPF. I find it important to analyze the ingredients of my skincare. I love a minimalistic selection of skincare, containing only really good natural products that get me through the day.
I use witch hazel every day, it calms my skin after a long day on the field. I love how it’s an ingredient of the Activated Toning Mist! Every night I give my skin a good facial massage with the Rosehip Oil Serum, using a guasha stone or just my hands. It’s my evening ritual, and allows me to wake up with hydrated, soft skin. My latest discovery is the Rosehip Rescue Balm, it’s amazing how I can use this product all day for any feeling of dryness or itchiness that might come up. I love its earthy smell too! It also replaces makeup for me, as it works as a highlighter on my cheekbones and lips.
"I think true beauty is created through connection. Maiwe connects its customers to nature, and that is beautiful."
That’s great to hear. Do you have any other thoughts on Maiwe you would like to share?
I’m a huge fan of Maiwe! What I find so powerful, is that Maiwe started out of a connection to a place. This happened through the discovery of a natural ingredient. Maiwe sources its ingredients with harvesters that you know, which makes the products about so much more than just good skincare formulas. I think true beauty is created through connection. Maiwe connects its customers to nature, and that is beautiful.
The Rosehip Rescue Balm
"It’s amazing how I can use the Balm all day for any feeling of dryness or itchiness that might come up. I love its earthy smell too!
It also replaces makeup for me, as it works as a highlighter on my cheekbones and lips."
