From Father to Son

Mattias Plaetevoet was not meant to be a farmer, at least not at first. But in 2010 he stepped into the work his father, Johan Plaetevoet, had spent decades shaping as one of the first biodynamic farmers in Belgium to earn the Demeter certification.

The name De Blauwe Spie refers to the distinct blue clay found in the ground below. Set in a gently open landscape where wind and light move freely, the farm carries an unmistakable sense of place. Here, the boundaries between agriculture, nature, and spirit blur.

Although biodynamic principles, with their talk of cosmic forces, moon rhythms, and planetary influences, might sound airy to some, Mattias brings them down to earth. From the nursery tunnel where seeds awaken into unfolding patterns of life to the Romanesco’s sacred geometry, everything is practical, meaningful and symbolic.

Ingredients That Humbly Honor the Earth

Across six tunnels and open fields, Mattias grows over 500 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers each season. “The flavor of a tomato,” he says, “can be an emotional experience.” This attitude is rooted in something deeper: the belief that food, if grown with intention, becomes not just sustenance, but story. A tomato from De Blauwe Spie carries the frequencies of the moon, the strength of compost, the quiet work of pollinators, and the dedication of the hands that raised it.

That same ethos extends to the local chefs who visit the farm to choose their ingredients and reconnect with where flavor begins. The relationship is reciprocal: the farm inspires their menus, and their support fuels Mattias’ work. Matthias also sells direct to consumers with a farm stand at the Saturday market in Ieper.

Everything Has A Purpose

Mattias doesn’t farm alone. His team, though small, is integral. So are the chefs, the eaters, the compost worms, and the stars. “Nothing exists that doesn’t touch something else,” the farm’s manifesto says.

While there’s no livestock at De Blauwe Spie, biodiversity pulses through every bed. Personal observations reveal rising pollinator numbers, richer wildlife, and diverse crops that respond to rhythm rather than force. The farm’s blue clay soils now hold more moisture and resist extremes better than before, a subtle but real adaptation to climate shifts.

Despite the farm’s deep sense of purpose and connection, strain and stress are part of the reality too. There are challenges in balancing vision with practical financial constraints. The path forward is not always smooth. And yet, amid all this, Mattias returns often to a deeper stillness. “A farmer needs to become quiet,” he reflects. “To walk through the fields, to feel the sun on his face, to look at his crops, and simply be happy.”