The History of the Boerma Instituut and the Boerma Family
The Boerma Instituut has a rich history that spans over 120 years of experience. The Boerma family has been active in floristry for five generations. This family has had an undeniable influence on the development of Dutch and international floral art. This story begins in 1896, when Pieter Boerma, the great-grandfather of the current generation, took his first steps into the world of flowers in Maastricht, Limburg.
The Beginning of the Boerma Family in the Flower World
other florists, took the initiative to establish Flower Express, which later evolved into the world-renowned Fleurop Interflora. This was just the beginning of the floral influence the family would have.
The family expanded their involvement in the floral industry further, with Nico Boerma, Pieter’s son, who ran his flower shop in Heerlen. Nico was not only an entrepreneur but also an influential figure in the Dutch flower world. He served as secretary of the Limburg Flower Association and worked for 32 years as a board member of the Flower Association and Fleurop Interflora.
The First Master Florist: Theo Boerma
In the 1960s, Theo Boerma, the son of Nico, began his floral career. Theo was a pioneer in the field of master florists in the Netherlands. After attending the Vocational School for Floral Arts in Vught, the Master Florist program, and the HTS Teacher Training Course in Roermond, Theo became the first officially recognized Floral Artist in Limburg in 1964.
In 1968, the family moved to Aalsmeer, where Theo further shared his knowledge and passion for flowers as a teacher at the RMTS, now known as the Wellant College. He organized numerous floral exhibitions and continued to expand his expertise. In 1972, he founded the Boerma Instituut, marking a significant step in the further professionalization of floral art education in the Netherlands.
From Limburg to Aalsmeer: The Boerma Instituut
In the early 1970s, the Boerma family took a monumental step in the development of Dutch floral art by moving from Limburg to Aalsmeer. This shift marked the beginning of the Boerma Instituut as a hub for education and innovation in the field of floral design.
The Boerma Instituut was officially founded on August 1, 1980 by Theo and José Boerma, the Boerma Instituut quickly became an influential center for advanced floral education in the Netherlands. It set itself apart by offering a comprehensive curriculum that blended creative techniques with practical skills, ensuring students would be equipped to meet the demands of the professional floral industry. The institution’s reputation for high-quality education grew rapidly, attracting students from all over the world who sought to learn from the Boerma family’s unparalleled expertise.
Since its inception, the Boerma Instituut has continuously evolved to remain at the forefront of floral education, offering programs tailored to both beginners and advanced florists. The move to Aalsmeer, with its thriving flower auction industry, allowed the institute to be at the heart of the floral world in the Netherlands, providing students with unique opportunities to interact with top florists and industry professionals.
The Fourth Generation: Jacqueline Boerma
The fourth generation of the Boerma family in the floral world is Jacqueline Boerma, the daughter of Theo and José. Jacqueline has been working at the Boerma Instituut since 1981 and has taught and given demonstrations worldwide. She is also a jury member for various national and international floral design competitions and organizes her own floral design contests and exhibitions. Jacqueline is determined to continue her family’s legacy and to keep innovating and optimizing the institute.
The Fifth Generation: Mike and Axel Boerma
The fifth generation is already active at the institute, with Mike and Axel Boerma, the sons of Jacqueline. Mike has been active at the institute since 2013 and completed all three professional courses in that same year. In 2014, he began teaching at the Boerma Institute. Since then, Mike has traveled the world to teach and conduct floral demonstrations. He has been an ambassador for Floral Fundamentals since 2018.
Anjelica, Mike’s partner, manages many behind-the-scenes tasks and prepares the plant-based lunches on Fridays, while Axel, the youngest son, is responsible for financial administration, registrations, and the sale of products through platforms like Floral Design Supplies and Bol.com.
Looking Towards the Future
The Boerma family continues to be dedicated to preserving their rich tradition in floral art, with a focus on the ongoing development of new floral techniques and educational programs. The Boerma Institute remains a family business where quality, passion, and expertise are central, and it is of great importance to the Boerma family to pass down this tradition from generation to generation.