On the BBBarstool: Joost Olthof
We’re in the picturesque city of Zutphen, in a spacious 13th-century house across an old monastery and church in the city center. Across the table sits Joost Olthof, speaking openly about his life and the path that led him to where he is today. In this edition of On the BBBarstool, we talk with Joost about his journey to the BBB International Foundation, and about the time he had a calf in his living room.
The setting of our interview doesn’t quite match Joost’s true character. A better fit would be his farm in the Achterhoek region of Gelderland, where he and his wife live among cows, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks, essentially running a small petting zoo. Joost calls himself a “hobby farmer” and also serves as the chairman of the BBB International Foundation (SBI). In addition, he’s professionally engaged in the fight against large-scale organized crime. In 2023, Joost was also a local candidate for the BBB in the national elections.
Being a “hobby farmer” means that nearly all of Joost and his partner’s free time is spent on caring for their animals, that passion didn’t come out of nowhere. His partner is probably even more of an animal lover than he is; she previously studied at the former STOAS agricultural college. Back when they lived in a small apartment in Utrecht, surrounded mostly by students, their neighbors were more than a little surprised to one day spot a Holstein calf roaming around their garden. A calf in the middle of the city! Joost and his partner always dreamed of buying a farm and caring for animals once they were grown up. When the calf eventually got too big for the garden and began mooing loudly, they looked at each other and agreed: we’re grown up now! It was time to move to the countryside.
Joost experienced this move to rural life as a drastic change in pace from Utrecht. He says ‘people look out for each other more’. This became apparent in the little things. He recalls a cashier at the local supermarket once leaving her register to help an elderly woman pack her groceries onto her bike. No one in line complained; they simply waited. For Joost, that moment perfectly captured the spirit of noaberschap, a Dutch term for the rural tradition of looking after your neighbors, especially in the eastern and western parts of the Netherlands. This sense of community is what draws Joost to the countryside.
That instinct to care for others also shows in the work of the Olthof family. His 25-year-old daughter works with young adults who cannot live at their own home. Meanwhile, Joost collaborates with the province of Gelderland to combat large-scale criminal activity, focusing especially on human trafficking. It’s difficult work, often under challenging circumstances, but he believes strongly that no one deserves to be exploited. His job also involves international collaboration, which means Joost has traveled frequently, especially within Europe. That international focus would later resurface through his work with the BBB.
Joost’s decision to join the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging, BBB) came naturally. As a logical thinker, he was drawn to a party that reasons logically. Through his wife’s agricultural background and conversations with local farmers, Joost became deeply aware of the sector’s challenges. When the BBB emerged in 2019, he found their message compelling and joined the party. Joost especially identifies with the third “B” in BBB: Beweging, or movement. He sees BBB as a way to bridge the gap between farmers and citizens, and believes the party can serve as a constructive and balanced alternative to many other political options. At the 2023 national elections, Joost took a more active role by running as a local candidate in Gelderland. That involvement sparked his interest in the international side of the movement.
At the BBB International Foundation, all of Joost’s passions come together. As chairman, he combines his international experience, his love for the countryside, and his commitment to BBB. His goal is to promote the BBB’s vision abroad and build a network connecting the party with Dutch citizens and farmers living outside the Netherlands. From working with emigrated farmers and promoting democratic values to sharing knowledge with international partners, it’s work that energizes Joost.
All in all, Joost Olthof comes across as relaxed and approachable, a dedicated hobby farmer with a passion for his work, both locally and internationally. His favorite holiday destination? Jamaica, for its laid-back attitude. Although, as Joost admits, that laid-back vibe vanishes the moment he returns home, where there’s always more to do. It’s typical Joost: a hardworking hobby farmer with a heart for all three B’s of BBB.
