The principle of ‘soil and water guiding’ can work effectively in the area processes that must enable the transition to sustainable agriculture and food production. However, one should not become overly focused on this technically oriented approach. Without building trust in and among the new generation of farmers, we will not truly get things moving. My suggestion: broaden the concept of soil and first focus on creating the right nurturing ground for young people who wish to pursue a different path.

Before delving deeper into that, let me first make a remark regarding the decision of the previous/caretaker government to adopt ‘soil & water’ as a guiding principle in the reorganisation of rural areas. Such a principle will only work in the long term. Therefore, a fundamental framework is needed in the form of government policy that is sustained over several decades.

This is comparable to the land consolidation efforts of the previous century, which contributed to the ‘Mansholt vision’ in Europe,  proposing that a more efficient agricultural practice was in the public interest: beneficial for both citizens (as affordable food was highly relevant at the time) and farmers: for those who remained, allowing them to expand their businesses, and for those who departed, benefiting from restructuring premiums.

Political Relations

In the current political context, I do not foresee the emergence of such long-term policies based on a shared vision anytime soon. On the contrary, most governments are primarily focused on the short term and—when it comes to agriculture—primarily occupied with maintaining existing policies such as the derogation for dairy farming in the Netherlands. Viewed in this light, it seems like wishful thinking to expect a long-term policy that will genuinely make ‘soil & water’ guiding principles.

This does not diminish the fact that both elements are vital for a healthy agricultural sector and for nature conservation and restoration. Fortunately, this reality is recognised in various area processes, and local governments such as provinces, water boards, and municipalities are indeed striving to make progress alongside farmers and nature conservationists.

Young Farmers

Thus far, the political commentary; let me now address my main point: the role of young farmers, or more broadly, the role of young people in our society. Historically, the transfer of businesses, along with all the knowledge and experience built up therein, was a matter where the older generation guided the new generation. Nowadays, the most significant new technologies are first applied by young people. They are more adept at using digital tools than their parents. They have a better understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls of, for instance, artificial intelligence (AI) than their elders. They recognise that in order to fully utilise new technology, sharing data and knowledge is essential. Therefore, they seek contact with colleagues and other parties in the supply chain, including consumer groups. Many young farmers today conclude that they wish to do things differently based on these insights.

Is this always the case?

One might argue that this is a timeless pattern; children have always desired to do things differently than their parents. This is true. However, the changes in both technological possibilities and consumer perceptions regarding issues such as nature, animal welfare, and personal health are occurring much more rapidly than fifty years ago. At that time, for example, we did not employ the term ‘disruptive’ when discussing changes in society and in our daily lives. Now, it is essential to make progress.

There is every reason to provide young farmers, who are in search of a new foundation for their businesses, with more space and to support them in developing truly sustainable agriculture. I feel the metaphor of ‘preparing the seedbed’ is fitting here. This term signifies preparing the soil so that seeds can germinate. In my view, this is crucial to making real progress in the transition of our agriculture and food production.

Excuse Youth

Established interests—governments, businesses, and interest groups—fail to recognise this sufficiently. Of course, young people are increasingly being invited to participate. They are praised for their fresh ideas and perspectives on the world. Nevertheless, they often merely serve as a delightful distraction in the busy schedules of large institutions and companies, referred to as ‘excuse youth.’ Young people are not taken seriously; they come to this realisation only after they have approached a session or meeting with good intentions. Almost invariably, it becomes deafeningly quiet thereafter. The photo is taken, the press release sent out… the communications and marketing departments are satisfied, and the goal has been achieved…

Better Farming

Yes, the goal of garnering positive attention. However, this is not what truly matters, namely better farming and healthier food. Herein lies the seed of frustration among young people. This situation is far worse than not being invited: you are invited, you invest time, you do it for the noble cause, you wish to make the world a better place, and in the session, you are met with praise. “We must collaborate on these great ideas,” is often the refrain. And then it falls silent, and focus shifts back to maintaining one’s own

Experience

I base this vision on my more than 25 years of experience working with young people. The seed was sown—into fertile ground—when I became the chair of the young civil servants network at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Over the past 15 years, I have been involved in various (inter)national projects with young people in the context of what has now become the I4NATURE cooperative. Examples include area processes where we are working on the Harvest of Tomorrow and the Harvest of the Day After Tomorrow.

I am now also a dairy farmer at the family business of my partner, Marjolein de Kreij, in the Alblasserwaard. There, we are gaining experience with the local area process and are also realising the future prospects for our own business. When I combine the above vision with these experiences, I arrive at the following recommendations to harness the potential of young people for the rural landscape:

Create a Sowing Plan for What You Wish to Harvest
Be clear about what you are asking from one another. Indicate why you want to involve young people, demonstrate your willingness to empathise with their perspective, and be brave enough to let go of your own references. As the older generation, you have a sense of ‘being young,’ but that is coloured by a time and context that are completely different from today.

Prepare the Seedbed
Seek your leadership role from a place of ownership. What can I (in whatever organisation or context you work) do to build and strengthen trust in one another? Where can I add value, and how can we take steps further along the common thought path we envision? Combine strengths with a positive attitude; every path to a solution is one you will discover together. There is always a horizon of solutions, so adjust along the way and be flexible.

Execute the Plan and Stay Engaged
Act equally together; by sowing and planting together, you experience ownership. You understand what is needed to help something grow. This may differ from what you had initially envisioned. You experience what it is to collaborate and how you complement one another. Assess the results together, and remain engaged to let it thrive.

Keep Faith and Be Patient
Germination and maturation take time and attention. Allow the nurturing ground to do its work. The growth of the new also means saying farewell to the old. In every encounter and opportunity for collaboration, there is an element of joy and sorrow.

Continue Learning for future proof agriculture
What do joy and sorrow mean for you? And how do you manage that? How does it impact you personally and in your formal role representing your organisation? If you wish to innovate, it does not start with the other person or by letting a young person share a nice idea. Innovation begins with yourself.

What emerges above the surface therefore requires this seedbed preparation in order to continue to grow in the new era. Otherwise, it will quickly wither away. Xander Beks, Dairy Farmer (Nuffield Scholar) and Founder of the I4NATURE cooperative, also the initiator of “For the Harvest of Tomorrow