LAND&HAND

What is a windmill, what have windmills meant for the Netherlands, and what could the future of windmills be? This is what KETTER&Co explored in the project Zeeuwse Wind (Zeeland Wind) in collaboration with the Vereniging de Zeeuwse Molens (Association of Zeeland Windmills), the Gilde van Vrijwillige Molenaars afdeling Zeeland (Guild of Volunteer Millers Zeeland), De Hollandsche Molen (The Dutch Windmill Society), and the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands). 

 

In addition to a recruitment campaign showcasing the practice from the perspective of young millers, KETTER&Co looked at how the windmills in Zeeland could secure a sustainable and active future. In the film Zeeuwse Wind, KETTER&Co documented the historical and contemporary significance of windmills and the craft of milling, using this as a foundation to envision future scenarios for both windmills and millers. The aim was to outline new functions and societal relevance for windmills —a future transcending heritage, hobby, and preservation alone. 

 

An Instagram and TikTok campaign was created, featuring short interviews with young millers discussing what they enjoy about the profession. This campaign was handed over to the Stichting De Zeeuwse Molen (Zeeland Windmill Foundation). 

 

In the summer of 2024, KETTER&Co convened with around 50 stakeholders from the windmill community — millers, policymakers, administrators, and other interested parties — at the Korenmolen de Graanhalm in Gapinge. During the event, guided discussions focused on future scenarios for windmills, the film Zeeuwse Wind premiered, and research findings on Zeeland’s milling craft were formally presented to Zeeland’s Deputy Harry van der Maas. 

 

Leading up to the conference, Jan Melis of KETTER&Co, Loes Gellecum from the Province of Zeeland, and young miller Martijn Gijsen were interviewed by Omroep Zeeland about the research, campaign, and upcoming conference. Listen to it here (in Dutch). 

 

Download the Zeeuwse Wind research report for the Province of Zeeland (in Dutch).

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KETTER&Co conducted this research on behalf of the Province of Zeeland and in collaboration with Vereniging de Zeeuwse Molens, Gilde van Vrijwillige Molenaars afdeling Zeeland, De Hollandsche Molen, and the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed.