GroenBoeren is an initiative of the Food Transition Coalition working towards a future-proof food system in which sustainable farming becomes the norm. Together with farmers, businesses, governments and researchers it speeds up that shift, with one goal: by 2035, sustainable farming is the norm in the Netherlands.
Agriculture & Soil
Since the summer of 2022, the green farming organisations behind the Groenboerenplan have joined forces. Together they represent thousands of farmers, growers and food initiatives. GroenBoeren is an initiative of the Food Transition Coalition: a network of farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists and civil society organisations working towards the transition to a sustainable food system.
GroenBoeren chooses a way of producing food in which farming and nature are in balance and strengthen one another. This vision rests on three principles: nature-driven (working with the power of nature rather than against it), socially connected (food that brings farmers and citizens together) and economically grounded (a fair living for the farmer and affordable food for everyone).
Core activities:
sharing and spreading the knowledge and real-world examples of green farmers
connecting farmers, businesses, governments and researchers
influencing policy towards fair prices and fitting regulation
supporting farmers in transition, step by step, on the path to sustainable farming
Every day, GroenBoeren shows that farming and nature can strengthen one another.
The way we produce food is increasingly running into ecological, social and economic limits. Nature, water and climate call for a different approach. At the same time, more and more farmers are showing that it can be done differently.
Farming and nature out of balance. Policy that pulled farming and nature apart turned nature into an obstacle rather than an ally. Soil life, pollinators and water quality are under pressure, while farming is the first to feel the consequences.
No fair business model for sustainability. Farmers who want to farm more sustainably are not always paid a fair price for it. Without a healthy income, the step towards sustainable production stays too big for many farmers.
Healthy, sustainable food out of reach for many. Sustainably produced food is still too often a choice for those who can afford it, rather than the ordinary norm for everyone.
The faster this shift happens, the sooner sustainable farming becomes the new normal instead of the exception.
When you shop as usual through Terry, part of the shop's marketing budget goes to GroenBoeren, as a donation and at no extra cost to you.
Your contribution helps to:
spread knowledge and real-world examples
get policy and the market moving
help more farmers take the step to sustainable farming
bring farming and nature back into balance
For example, a contribution can help make possible a practical gathering where farmers in transition exchange knowledge and experience. Every gathering moves more farmers forward, and every farmer who takes the step helps shift the norm.
In this way you support not a single farm, but a movement that makes sustainable farming normal, step by step.
Since 2022, a core team of green farming organisations has worked together under the Groenboerenplan banner: Biohuis, Bionext, Stichting Demeter, Caring Farmers, the Federation of Agro-ecological Farmers, Herenboeren Nederland and the Food Transition Coalition. Together, their farmers show every day that it can be done differently.
The movement gave direction to the shift with a conference and with ten concrete recommendations to policymakers, from a fair price for sustainable farming to land policy that makes sustainable agriculture possible. GroenBoeren is supported by a broad network of nature, climate, animal welfare and knowledge organisations, including Stichting DOEN, Triodos Foundation, WWF, Natuurmonumenten, Greenpeace and several universities.
GroenBoeren works along two lines: strengthening its own community for a faster food transition, and joining forces towards governments to put the right conditions in place.
Supporting through Terry is a great first step. Want to do even more? You can also:
Choose products from green farmers, from the short supply chain or straight from the farm, more often.
Share the story of GroenBoeren with people around you and help the movement grow.
Stay informed and follow GroenBoeren through the Groenboerenplan.
Want to go further? Become a member of or donate directly to the Food Transition Coalition.
GroenBoeren is an initiative of Stichting Transitiecoalitie Voedsel (the Food Transition Coalition), based in Deventer, the Netherlands. The foundation is a network of farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists and civil society organisations working towards the transition to a sustainable food system.
Your contribution goes to the work of GroenBoeren: sharing knowledge, supporting farmers in transition and getting policy and the market moving.
Support GroenBoeren with every purchase
Shop as usual through Terry and help make sustainable farming the new normal.
