At the recent opening of our local Herenboederij, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sense of community that I felt among the members. Perhaps just as important for the local community farm is its contribution to the resilience of the community. In contrast, intensive agriculture, which often relies on monoculture, heightens the risk of crop failure and strains the supporting ecosystem. Diverse plant species provide a natural defense against pests, disease, and extreme weather events. By maintaining a variety of crops, farmers create a resilient ecosystem that can better withstand the uncertainties of climate change. What I find particularly valuable are the additional environmental and societal benefits that community farming can deliveĬommunity farming places a strong emphasis on preserving biodiversity and promoting soil health and fertility. While intensive agriculture focuses on maximizing yields through technological advancements, the value of community farming, with its time-tested practices and emphasis on sustainability, is certainly appealing. The debate between old-fashioned community farming and intensive agriculture has gained prominence. BenefitsĬommunity farming of this sort is not new, but its resurgence can be partially attributed to heightened uncertainty resulting from climate change and its potential impact on the food security of many. Recently, I joined a local “Herenboederij” (a Dutch farm cooperative in which the members are the owners and the harvest is distributed among them) where together with about 250 other families of all sorts and sizes we are seeking to address the increasing need for connection and responsibility towards our food supply, or at least part of it. However, these are often quite “low-tech”. I also try to take steps in my personal life to do the same. ![]() Given the University of Twente's high-tech focus, this involves in many cases identifying opportunities for new technologies to facilitate a societal transition that both mitigates and adapts to the changing climate. In this first issue, Cheryl de Boer talks about the importance of community farming.Īs part of my “day job”, I am establishing connections among individuals at the University of Twente to help us better contribute to addressing the climate challenge. In this weekly series, UT researchers share their personal reflections on current events and trends that impact our daily lives, exploring their implications for resilience. As an academic institution we have a role to play in strengthening the resilience of the social, technological and environmental systems that support us. Recognising the urgent need to respond to rapid societal and environmental change, resilience is one of the University of Twente’s spearheads.
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