Hope is happiness deferred, even for food makers

The spring activities, unlike last year, took place under ideal conditions. We are waiting for rain and nature will soon burst at the seams. The need for positive news is great, after a winter in which discussions about the desired agricultural policy dragged on. The ruling of the Council of State on 18 December 2024, in which internal balancing was blocked, is not conducive to optimism. However, anyone who goes outside and looks in practice at the resilience and inventiveness that farmers show, cannot help but remain optimistic about the future.

For the AAN TAFEL! Foundation, I have the privilege of visiting innovative food makers in the countryside and in the city. Proud entrepreneurs who are eager to show what they have to offer and who are happy to share this with a large audience. Because let's be honest: change is of all times and if there is one professional group that always adapts to changing circumstances, it is the food makers.

Stop with the 'list nature'
Take Hermen Vreugdenhil, director of Agrarisch Collectief Rivierenland, who sends out a positive message every Friday, in which he shares his enthusiasm about the way in which agriculture and nature thrive together. Farmers and nature operate harmoniously alongside each other; there is no dividing line at all.

In a recent podcast by Studio Foodlog, Vreugdenhil is supported by Henk Rampen, former regional head of Natuurmonumenten, who talks about the good state of nature in the Netherlands. According to Rampen, the so-called 'list nature' denies the essence of nature, which is constantly evolving and adapting to the environment and circumstances. Rampen: 'Of course you can focus on that one species that is missing, but you can also talk about five new species that we can welcome in the Netherlands.' So the glass is more half full than half empty.

Duckweed as cattle feed
I experienced the same enthusiasm when visiting Erik Back's FutureFarm in Lutten, Overijssel. Back is experimenting with duckweed as an alternative animal feed. Duckweed has a crude protein content of 40 percent compared to 16 percent crude protein in grass. Back links innovations to a profitable business model. Does that always work? It doesn't, but it doesn't stop Back from continuing to experiment. 

Regenerative next to conventional
The men of Erve Kiekebos also stick their necks out. When they started their regenerative farm in Empe, Gelderland, they invited their immediate neighbours, mostly conventional farmers. Niels and Jaap Fris Moshagen did not come to bring the 'light', but they also learned a lot from their fellow farmers. The open dialogue resulted in traditional farmers also gaining an understanding of regenerative agriculture.

These bright spots underline that there are more than enough reasons to be hopeful about Dutch agriculture and horticulture. Hope is happiness deferred. Or as Vreugdenhil argues: 'The solutions are at our feet. What's holding us back?'

Wim Groot Koerkamp

Founder ReMarkAble, co-founder BBB, founder AT THE TABLE!

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