Since the summer, these students have been exploring ideas essential for a sustainable transition in agriculture. They are participating in the “ReGen Europe” project, funded by an Erasmus grant, which has taken them to Florence, where they worked alongside students from Romania and Italy in search of sustainable agricultural solutions.
The project, set to culminate in December with an event unveiling their plans, is part of the “City Deal Kennis Maken” initiative, where students from different institutions and disciplines collaborate. The six ReGen students study at the Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences, the vocational school Yuverta, and Radboud University.
'Gelukkige Groentes'
The project started at Gelukkige Groentes (Happy Veggies) in Malden, which already follows regenerative agriculture principles. Recently, the team returned from Florence, where they explored how sustainably-minded farmers can make meaningful progress with their businesses. Sara Al Saadi, a Business Administration student from the university, reflects on a highly educational week in Italy: “Many farmers are willing to make the transition, but they need more people around them.”
Sara emphasizes the concept of “community-based agriculture,” where farmers work alongside the local community to support their business. She explains how this approach has mutual benefits: “Local acceptance of farming practices increases, and farmers aren’t alone in their efforts. People are short on time, and they want to achieve sustainable goals, so they’re eager to join as volunteers.”
