17 July 2020
Nieuws
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Beginning this year, the first trees of a food forest were planted on the farm of a dairy farmer in Baexem, Limburg. Meanwhile, a second farmer in Limburg is making plans for the transition to a food forest. Nieuwe Oogst spoke with Erik Rietjens, landscape developer at the IKL foundation in Nieuwstadt, and a specialist in designing food forests as an alternative agricultural system. What makes a food forest attractive?
To make a food chain really sustainable starts on the land. Those who want to make the food chain sustainable and local need different farming systems, according to Rietjens. "With the current low prices and high subsidies for traditional agricultural products, the attack on soil and biodiversity and the changing climate, a food forest offers such an alternative."
Rietjens, as a participant in the Limburg LOF program, was updated on true pricing: what is the fair price of a product if you factor in all the ecological and social aspects of a production process? "If you calculate in that way, then the food forest comes out well."
Self-sufficient
A food forest is a self-sustaining ecosystem from which vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and mushrooms, among others, can be harvested virtually all year round. In addition, the designers pay much attention to landscape elements such as pools, thickets and hedges.
Complex systems
According to Rietjens, no consumer is fundamentally opposed to healthy and local food at a fair price. But both a food chain, including logistics, and food production are complex systems, the LOF participant knows. "To change them you need vision, you need to encourage and facilitate and at the same time be patient and hope that the time is right for change."
On the revenue model of a food forest, Rietjens has few concerns. The yields are diverse, which calls for a local outlet at restaurants, among others. "You'll never make a big splash, but the risks are well spread."
In addition, all kinds of partnerships are possible, which will be scrutinized in the LOF program in the coming months. "Such as care farms sharing their harvest and making meals that can be offered to consumers as home meals, well preserved."
Read also 'From Dairy Cows to Food Forest' about the first Limburg food forest.
Source: New Harvest
