Farmers take the lead in conversations on Regenerative Agriculture at Future Harvest Farm Hub Event in the Netherlands

In the afternoon, the farmers took centre stage. During an interactive workshop, they shared their own visions for regenerative agriculture, discussed the challenges they face and identified the support they would like to receive from the Future Harvest Farm Hub in the years ahead.

Several clear priorities emerged from the discussions.

1. Turning Ideas into Action

   Farmers wanted practical guidance that could help them answer questions such as: What does regenerative agriculture mean for my farm? Where should I begin? How can I tell whether the changes I make are working? There was strong interest in proven tools, concrete examples and practical lessons from farmers with first-hand experience.

   For any transition to succeed, it also needs to make economic sense. Farmers wanted a better understanding of the investment involved, the funding available, the potential returns and the business models that could support regenerative practices. They also stressed the importance of achieving tangible benefits in the short term while building greater resilience over time.

    

2. Building a Supportive Community

   Peer-to-peer learning was one of the strongest themes of the day, as hearing directly from others who are already making the transition to Regenerative Agriculture gave them a vision of not only what has worked, but also about setbacks, unexpected challenges and the financial realities involved.

   These honest conversations can help farmers make better-informed decisions and give them greater confidence to take the next step. The value of community came up repeatedly. Several farmers spoke openly about the sense of isolation that can accompany growing economic, regulatory and social pressures.

   Bringing people together created space for mutual support, shared learning and collective problem-solving. Farmers saw the Farm Hub as an opportunity to strengthen these connections and build a network of people facing similar challenges.

    

3. Regeneration Begins with a Personal Vision

   Another important insight was that regenerative agriculture cannot be reduced to a checklist of practices. Before deciding what to change, farmers need to be clear about their own goals, values and vision for the future of their farms.

   What regeneration means will depend on the farm, the farmer and the outcomes they want to achieve, whether environmental, economic or social. The workshop gave farmers time to reflect on these questions and consider how their own leadership can help turn ambition into lasting change. 

   Many described the transition to regenerative agriculture as a journey rather than a fixed destination. They called for clearer pathways that would help them understand where they are now, decide where they want to go and identify realistic steps for moving forward. Ultimately, they want the tools and support to develop regenerative transition and business plans suited to their individual circumstances.