Europe | Climate Smart Agriculture
De BosBoerderij: Growing nature and people together
Dutch agriculture is under pressure. Challenges such as soil erosion, declining biodiversity, climate change, and deteriorating water quality demand a fundamental rethink of how we produce food. At the same time, there is a growing need for social inclusion and meaningful employment, especially for people who face barriers to the labor market. De BosBoerderij addresses these urgent issues with an innovative and holistic approach.
A farm that restores landscapes
Through syntropic farming—a regenerative form of agroforestry—De BosBoerderij works to restore ecosystems and reconnect people with the land. Their mission is to develop profitable farms that demonstrate agriculture can be not only sustainable but also restorative. Over the next ten years, De BosBoerderij aims to train 80 individuals as “Forest Farmers” and transform more than 40 hectares of farmland into biodiverse, productive ecosystems.
Co-designing and learning together
In collaboration with farmers and landowners, De BosBoerderij designs, implements, and manages syntropic plots. Local communities are actively involved through work-based learning programs, where participants gain practical skills while working on personal development. In addition to food production, there is focus on on ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity credits, and water restoration. Demonstration sites in Hazerswoude Dorp and Wassenaar mark the beginning of a broader movement toward regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands.
Restoring water quality
Syntropic farming contributes to the restoration of water cycles and the improvement of water quality. Unlike conventional agriculture, which often leads to nitrogen runoff and surface water pollution, De BosBoerderij enriches the soil with organic matter, reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, and enhances biodiversity. This helps stabilize both ecosystems and water systems. Monitoring soil health, water quality, and biodiversity is a core part of their approach.
The role of Rabo Foundation
Rabo Foundation supports De BosBoerderij during its early pilot phase with a donation. This funding enables the development of demonstration and educational plots, the creation of training programs for regenerative agriculture, and the strengthening of operational capacity. Together with other partners such as DOEN, and Triodos, this support helps realize a scalable model that restores both soil and water.
Water in focus at ImpactFest 2025
At ImpactFest 2025—Europe’s largest impact festival, held on October 30 at the Fokker Terminal in The Hague—De BosBoerderij will host an interactive workshop together with Rabo Foundation. Rabobank and Rabo Foundation have chosen water as the central theme for their sessions this year, seeking inspiring examples that combine water challenges and agriculture in a Dutch context. De BosBoerderij is a perfect fit, showcasing how agriculture can be a force for ecological and social restoration. We highlight a case from Asia to illustrate how similar principles are being applied around the world to address water-related challenges in agriculture.
What Is Syntropic Farming?
Syntropic farming is an innovative agricultural method centered on ecosystem regeneration. Instead of depleting the soil, it works with natural processes to improve soil health and increase biodiversity.
Trees, shrubs, and crops are grown together in layered systems, much like a forest, and follow each other in succession. Regular pruning and harvesting keep the system healthy and continuously enrich the soil.
The result? Less need for fertilizers and pesticides, more biodiversity, improved soil quality, and a resilient food system that can withstand climate change.
Partner with De BosBoerderij
De BosBoerderij is seeking consortium partners in Brabant and Noord Limburg for LIFE-IN-SYNTROPY, an innovative project proposal demonstrating climate-resilient agroforestry systems across the Dutch 'Zuidelijke Zandgronden' (Southern Sandy Soils) region. After successful implementation and operation of our productive plot at WIJdehorst, De BosBoerderij will be expanding its activities. The initiative integrates practical research to demonstrate the potential of syntropic farming in temperate climates. Over the next five years, 3 to 5 demonstration sites will be developed (15-25 hectares total). These locations aim to showcase how syntropic agriculture can be combined with ecosystem restoration, while addressing critical challenges like drought and water retention on sandy soils. Research institutions, agricultural organizations, regional stakeholders, and governmental authorities interested in joining the consortium are invited to get in touch to explore opportunities for collaboration on this groundbreaking climate adaptation initiative.