A rare testimony of the Boerenjeugdbond

This Breme green painted wall apple still bears witness to the flourishing movement of the Boerenbond in the countryside. The acronym BJV stands for Boerenjeugdbond, the forerunner of the Catholic National Youth. The Farmers' and Farmers' Union founded a youth section in 1927. The BJB groups focused on young people from the age of 16, because that was the age when most left school and went to work. Initially, the BJB was concerned with the in-service training and training of young career starters. Thanks to seminars, grants and test fields, young farmers were able to take over or set up their farms in full knowledge of the facts. From the Second World War onwards, BJB also paid more and more attention to relaxation and culture. Since then, BJB has aimed at the total development of agricultural and horticultural youth.

In the following years, the countryside changed significantly on a social level. Not all rural youth who joined the BJB came from the agricultural or horticultural sector. For that reason, BJB broadened its target group and operation, and changed its name in 1965: the 'Boerenjeugdbond' became 'Katholieke Landelijke Jeugd' (KLJ). Soon, in 1966, the name 'Groene Kring' was born, the KLJ sub-operation that focuses on the professional development of young farmers and horticulturists. In 1971 a first Green Circle Region was started.

KLJ is today the fourth largest youth movement in Flanders and the largest in East Belgium, Groene Kring is the largest association for agricultural and horticultural youth in Flanders and East Belgium.

Jan Rymenams