"The New Farmer is..."
An increasingly central question is how we produce our food in the Netherlands and what environmental burden we consider desirable in the process. The so-called perspective that farmers ask about is still mostly shrouded in fog, or better: has many wishful thinking and visions. Time and again, aspects of this theme recur in current affairs. And time and again, the human dimension seems to be lost sight of. For what exactly do nitrogen, derogation, Water Framework Directive, innovation or area approach mean for the farmer himself? That is why the New Network organised the conference "The New Farmer is ..." to come up with concrete examples of how farmers themselves are shaping the transition through a dozen workshops.
Less is more
Of course, a theme like "The New Farmer is ..." evokes many reactions, and there was plenty of room during the conference to share and build on them. In the many workshops, examples were shown and discussed by farmers who are already making the transition, and are already working on new business practices, innovations or earning models. A common conclusion is "less is more", whereby farms that take nature, water, environment and/or climate into account achieve lower production but also have much lower costs. In the keynotes, it emerged above all that we cannot put the transition on the farmer's plate alone. Market, government and citizens must join in that transition. The keynote speakers are all associated with the transition, and considered it from their role in research, in government or as entrepreneurs.
Entrepeneurs
The goals were agreed on, the route is still much to be discussed. What particularly impressed them was the impact this transition will have on the farm itself, where farmers would like to change and move with it, but will not manage to do so properly, or in time, due to various circumstances. There are also concerns about the liveability of the rural area, with potential vacancy and a greatly reduced economic contribution. Transition as 'system change' is taking shape on the farm and the conference "The New Farmer is ..." gave tangible substance to this. Conclusion: The New Farmer is not a new farmer, but a new phase of the current entrepreneur who will have to find his way with new knowledge and insights, and new preconditions.
Success
The conference "The New Farmer is ..." was attended by 70 participants, and that together with everyone who contributed to the workshops and preparations makes a total of just under a hundred people. Cultura in Ede proved a great location to roll out our format. The atrium as a central meeting place generated many new and renewed relationships. Many have also become members of New Network and we hope to continue to welcome them to our meetings in the long term.