With special permission from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs I am allowed to use this photo from His Royal Highness Prince Claus
His Royal Highness Prince Claus
Page 53 of the book: The Royal House
Prince Claus 1926-2002 was also a Diplomat in the Dominican Republic for 3 years.
The Kingdom of The Netherlands...
The Royal House is a book that we received from the Dutch Consulate General in Houston, TX for use at local schools when we had to do programs about our birth country.
It is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague 1996
Available at Amazon: The Royal House: Kingdom of the Netherlands ←click it.
On September 25, 2014, I received permission, shown above... translated below in English.
Dear Mrs. Van den Munckhof-Vedder,
Thanks for your mail message. As long as the source is mentioned, you can use the pages.
With kind regards,
Merle Tip
Editor in Chief
Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
Dutch Parliament States General
As you know an official delegation headed by H.R.H. Prince Claus, as Special Adviser for Development Cooperation, has visited India in February/March.
Clausgate
In early 1981, Claus went as officer of the Ministry for Development Cooperation to India, as the leader of a delegation who was going to speak about Dutch development projects.
Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal pages 4 and 5
Based on the visit of an Indian horticulture mission to the
Netherlands, discussions are going on about a joint program for cooperation in horticultural areas. This will result in a number of projects, of which currently a project in the area of seed production and a mushroom cultivation project is in an advanced stage of preparation. Also in the field of animal husbandry cooperation will come into being.
~
So now I finally can start with the story about my husband Pieter's trip to India, for the Dutch Government, following the Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus in 1981.
On September 9, it was exactly 45 years ago that in The Netherlands the 1st and ONLY practical Training College for Mushroom Growing in the world, had its official Grand Opening by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery, a branch of the Dutch Government. My husband Pieter founded it and he was the Principal and one of the active Teachers for decades until he became Vice President Training & Development for Campbell Soup Company in charge of their Mushroom Division in the USA, Canada and Australia.
Stay tuned for the story of the actual trip to India...
A trip that greatly impacted both of our lives!
On September 9, it was exactly 45 years ago that in The Netherlands the 1st and ONLY practical Training College for Mushroom Growing in the world, had its official Grand Opening by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery, a branch of the Dutch Government. My husband Pieter founded it and he was the Principal and one of the active Teachers for decades until he became Vice President Training & Development for Campbell Soup Company in charge of their Mushroom Division in the USA, Canada and Australia.
Stay tuned for the story of the actual trip to India...
A trip that greatly impacted both of our lives!
Related links:
{My Teacher, Mentor, BOSS & Husband over 44+ Years} | previous post by me
neat to be part of such a endeavor!
ReplyDeleteDearest Theresa,
DeletePieter always has been a fighter for the underdog and he participated with all his heart, following Prince Claus's Mission to India.
Hugs,
Mariette
Deaerst Mariette,
ReplyDeleteit always is nice to hear those things, what you and your husband all had done in your life!
Happy week to you,
Love and hugs
Claudia
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you but this was about Pieter's job, not mine... I was not involved in this trip to India, following the Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus.
Enjoy your week as well.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, People who travel a lot always act as informal representatives of their country, but the official capacity and recognition that you an Pieter received is indeed an honor. How interesting it is that Pieter consults on mushroom growing--one of my hobbies is reading about many facets of agriculture, and I have come across much information on this subject. Often when studying or visiting large old houses, I learn that a mushroom cellar was featured, the long-ago owners not wanting to take any risks on their source of supply!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteAt the time that my husband Pieter was still the Principal, and founder, of the world's only practical training college for mushroom growing, he acted many times as a great Ambassador of his country!
As for your findings on large old houses in Taiwan, having been mushroom houses, is no surprise. Taiwan was one of the leading mushroom producing countries in the 70s and lost against the high tech that was used in the Dutch system.
Pieter has been to Taiwan in 1987!
Kindest regards,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletebesten Dank für deine guten Informationen.
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteJa der Prinz Claus war ein guter Mann und als Diplomat auch sehr beliebt in die Dominikanische Republik! Er musste leider kündigen wenn seine Frau Königin wurde... er ist dadurch auch geistlich sehr deprimiert geraten.
Liebe Grüsse,
Mariette
Interessant verhaal, ben benieuwd naar het vervolg.
ReplyDeleteBeste Marianne,
DeleteJa, een interessante opgave van het Ministerie om na de voorbereidingen door Prins Claus, erop uit gestuurd te worden naar India, als champignondeskundige! Het heeft mijn man ook erg geraakt, een ervaring om nóóit te vergeten.
Liefs,
Mariette
Sehr interessant, liebe Mariette. Ich hatte ja schon früher in Deinem Blog über die Anfänge der Pilzzucht gelesen. Ich erinnere mich jetzt nicht genau, aber Dein Mann kam aus dem Gartenbaubereich und war Professor an der Universität? Und hatte die Idee, Pilze unterirdisch zu züchten, um Verwechselungen auszuschließen und auch, damit man diese in größerem Umfang konservieren konnte?
ReplyDeleteJedenfalls sehr interessant, auch was Ihr alles erlebt hat!
Danke auch noch für Deine Zeilen bezüglich Google+. Ich werde es mir überlegen, wieder 1 Profil freizuschalten. Das Problematische an der Sache ist eben, daß ich 2 Profile habe. Und obwohl ich derzeit KEIN G+-Profil freigeschaltet habe, sehe ich doch, daß ich immer noch mit denen, mit denen ich dort befreundet war, immer noch befreundet bin in Google+ - wie kann das sein? Deshalb gab es auch viele Verwirrungen, weil ich praktisch mit allen 2 x befreundet bin. Einige reagierten irritiert und entfolgten mich wieder. Irgendwann werde ich 3 Profile haben, wenn der Picasa-Speicherplatz wiederum nicht ausreicht. Schon deshalb ist Google+ für mich eigentlich ungünstig.
Liebe Grüße
Sara
Liebe Sara,
DeleteJa eine sehr interessante Aufgabe war das.
In meinem Blog habe ich aber nirgendwo über die Anfänge der Pilzzucht geschrieben...
Mein Mann hat das 'Practical Training College for Mushroom Growing' selbst errichtet und er hat das Buch geschrieben, in 8 Sprachen ist es ausgegeben worden, was oft 'the Mushroom Bible' genannt wird.
Pilze wurden schon seid Jahrhunderte in Höhlen gezüchtet und meistens in Frankreich. Auch im Süden von den Niederlanden.
Den Link unter meinen Posten, hier oben, zeigt etwas mehr über dieses College.
Liebe Grüsse,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
Deletemein Englisch ... ich habe keine Übung mehr darin, sorry. Das war früher mal anders.
Jetzt erinnere ich mich, ich werde die Stelle noch einmal nachlesen.
Daß Pilze schon so lange in Höhlen gezüchtet wurden, war mir nicht bekannt, da habe ich vermutlich etwas überlesen. Danke für diesen Hinweis! Und den Link!
Liebe Grüße
Sara
Dear Mariette,what an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great honor for you and Pieter to follow Prince Claus's Mission to India!
Thank you for sharing!Wishing you a happy week!Hugs!
Dimi...
DeleteDearest Dimi,
It was only Pieter who went on this Mission to India, not me. I started working in India only seven years later...
Enjoy your winter week, it is getting cold here too. Tonight -8°C.
Hugs,
Mariette
Such an interesting life you two have had. I look forward to learning more about the mission. Best wishes,Tammy
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteEspecially this trip proved interesting and life changing for Pieter, but he went and not me. I only went to India seven years later...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI am very much looking forward to reading Pieter's trip to India and how it did impact on your lives!!!!
Many hugs to you!!!
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteYou will learn about that, this was just the proper introduction as how it all came about and also Prince Claus deserved this posthumous mention; he was a very good diplomat!
Too bad he had to give up his life's work after his wife became queen...
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteerstmal ein Frohes Neues Jahr für dich und Pieter. Ihr habt so viele interessante Geschichten zu erzählen. Ich bin gespannt, wie die Geschichte weitergeht. Toll, dass du in direktem Kontakt mit dem Königshaus stehst.
Liebe Grüße, Johanna
Liebe Johanna,
DeleteDanke und auch nochmals für dich ein Frohes Neues Jahr.
Ja, es gibt sehr viele interessante Geschichten zu erzählen und diese die Pieter so intensiv erlebt hat ist eine davon. Wir stehen nicht im direkten Kontakt mit dem Königshaus sondern nur mit dem Ministerium für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten.
Liebe Grüsse,
Mariette
ReplyDeleteA grandeza dos amigos são como as flores raras: sua magnitude fica para sempre.
(Cristina Beloni)
Obrigada por compartilhar comigo este 2º aniversário do blog Algodão Tão Doce !!!!
Um doce abraço, Marie.
Dearest Marie,
DeleteThanks for your visit!
Hugs,
Mariette
Amazing life you and Pieter have!!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Dee,
DeleteThis part is only about Pieter, not me... but indeed, so many impressions have shaped our lives!
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow this was interesting
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you and stay tuned for more...
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you for explaining the background to the projects and I'm looking forward to reading more about the trip to India! Your husband Pieter and you are both such remarkable people!
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteThis introduction was needed in order to share this trip... Both of us LOVE people and we have dedicated a lot of time and effort in parts of the world with less wealth. Even though, this trip was one that Pieter took alone...
Hugs,
Mariette
I am wondering if Peter grows mushrooms now.
ReplyDeleteDearest Kay,
DeleteYes, Pieter sure does; in our wood garden!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteYou has rlsult in a number of project in the read production and Mushroom project in an alvanced staye of preparation Also in the fill of amimal husbandry cooperation will come into being trip to India!
Pieter went trip to India.
Hugs and happy day both of you!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko,
DeleteWe indeed have been involved in a number of projects and this, where Pieter went to India by himself, you can read in future posts more about...
Hugs and love to you.
Mariette
hola amiga querida !!.que tenga un optimo viernes
ReplyDeletecariños
Querida Angélica,
DeleteDeseando que tengas con tu familia también un hermoso fin de semana en la piscina; disfrute del sol!
Cariñosamente,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette; Oh, I remember your husband is an expert of mushroom from your post and I was motivated to post mushroom rice p:-) We ARE all ears about his precious trip and thank you very much for the introduction; both of your involvement of the numerous projects surprise us☆☆☆
ReplyDeleteHope you are coping with the freezing temperature and not needing much outside work, Dear friend.
And I also am looking forward to reading more about your husband's trip to India♪
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteThank you for your meaningful comment. Yes, husband Pieter has been involved in numerous projects around the world and he always tried to help as best as he could so poor people would be able to make a living too.
The weather is mean and we will have two more nights of frost. But it is only January so for spring weather with mild and sunny days we ought to be patient.
Sending you love and hugs from across the ocean to my loyal and dear Japanese blog-friend!
Mariette
Well, I am quite behind on my reading, so I am here to start at the beginning!
ReplyDeleteDearest Deborah,
DeleteThank you for taking the time for reading from the beginning. Next week the final chapters will get published with some shocking ending.
Hugs,
Mariette