De Landgenoten

Land for farmers for local food production

De Landgenoten is a cooperative and foundation that buys agricultural land with the money of shareholders and donors, and then manages the land and rents it to organic farmers through long-term contracts. We also focus on advising (public) landowners to cultivate their land sustainably. On this land, we create space for more local and healthy food, opportunities for innovative farmers and for a lively and green countryside. This is good for our health, the local community and the environment. In this way, we want to encourage the transition from our current food production system to a more sustainable one, thus contributing to the circular economy.

At present, however, both private and public landowners (local authorities, OCMWs, church factories, etc.) still need to be made more aware of the importance of the transition to a more sustainable food production system. Farmland is still too often seen as a commodity, for its financial value, rather than as a raw material. Owners also often lack the right information. How do you as a landowner go about using your land in the circular agricultural economy? What do you have to take into account? What is a correct usage agreement for a farmer?

These are the questions we want to answer with the project 'Space for local food production in the circular economy'. In the first years of its existence, the focus was on building expertise, expanding networks and testing innovative practices for the release and more sustainable use of land. Now we want to offer all that knowledge to public landowners, inform local governments, and provide them with the right inspiring examples.