Inspirational ideas: Future Farmers in the Spotlight
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
| Geographical scope | European Union |
| Keywords | General new entrant |
Future Farmers in the Spotlight is an initiative that aims to inspire and encourage the next generation of sustainable farmers. It shares inspiring stories about young farmers who have – despite the many difficulties – managed to set up farming initiatives which are innovative, viable and sustainable!
The origins of the initiative
Joris van der Kamp and Juliane Haufe from The Netherlands initiated Future farmers in the Spotlight because they had a dream: becoming farmers. But neither of them came from a farming family and they found out that as a newcomer in agriculture, you face many challenges.
Future Farmers in the Spotlight states that: “Only 7 percent all farmers in the European Union are below 35 years old. More than half of all farmers are above the age of 55. Under current circumstances it is very probable that in 10 years’ time we will have lost half of our farmers in Europe.”
However, Joris and Juliane do believe that there is an increasing number of young people who share their dream of starting a farm. But they are faced with many questions: How to get started? What are the options for getting involved in food production? Which new concepts will make a farm sustainable in an ecological sense, provide an adequate income and will create an added value for civil society?
A useful trip across Europe
Joris and Juliane wanted to find out the answers to their questions. They decided to travel throughout Europe visiting young people that have found ways to overcome these hurdles. The inspiration they found was captured on camera so that it could be shared with other young people with a similar dream.
Most of the future farmers within the initiative have adopted innovative concepts to market their produce, explore niche markets, diversify economic activities, start “new” relations with consumers and make use of innovative ways to get access to land and capital. The short films give insight in the diversity of farming concepts developed by young people in Europe and inspire the next generation of farmers with positive stories and farming models that are fit for the future.
So, they have filmed 16 inspiring farming initiatives in The Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Greece, France and Spain. 13 of these portraits are already online.
A few examples
Moritz Schäfer, 26, Germany, last year took over a conventional dairy farm which he now manages organically (in conversion) and where he now keeps 60 milk cows on 95 hectares of land.
Christos Belides (32), Miltiades Belides (30) and Theodoros Belides (20), three brothers running an organic winery in Greece together with their father Apostolos Belides who worked much of his professional life as an electrical engineer.
Ask Rasmussen (27) is slowly taking over Kiselgården from his parents. Kiselgården is one of the oldest biodynamic farms in Denmark.
Contribute to Future Farmers in the Spotlight
Future Farmers in the Spotlight are always looking for further examples. You can contact Joris@future-farmers.net
More information
Webpage: http://future-farmers.net
Facebook: ttps://www.facebook.com/futurefarmers.in.the.spotlight
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Future_Farmers
Facebook: ttps://www.facebook.com/futurefarmers.in.the.spotlight
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Future_Farmers
Text and images : Future Farmers in the Spotlight
Publication date:
Monday, 10 July, 2017 - 10:30
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