Contact/s:
Audrey Miserez
Audrey.Miserez@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
Family Farm in Transition: Climate-Smart Practices on a Dairy Farm in Geraardsbergen (Belgium)
Belgium
Temperate maritime climate
1. Adoption of climate-smart practices through peer learning
2. Improved soil health, biodiversity, and feed quality
3. Increased resilience and sustainability of mixed farming systems
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Two years ago, Veerle and Colin took over Veerle’s parents’ dairy farm, transforming it from a classic dairy farm focused on producing mats for Geraardsbergen mattentaarten to a more sustainable operation. They now have 12 English Longhorns for meat and 70 dairy cows, along with 35 ha of arable land and 30 ha of grassland.
Veerle, with her background as an environmental lawyer, welcomed the climate scan proposal. The initial results from the Klimrek tool highlighted useful measures, some of which were implemented immediately, while others are planned.
Their climate measures include:
• Hedges and Trees: Supported by Bos+ and Regional Landscape Flemish Ardennes, they focus on hedges, trees, and flower borders for carbon storage and biodiversity.
• Grass Clover-Lucerne: They reduced fodder maize from 22 ha to 10ha, replacing it with a grass clover-lucerne mix, requiring less fertilization.
• Triticale – Field Beans: They planted 6 ha of triticale-field beans to replace soy in feed, with guidance from colleagues and project advisors.
• Soil Health and Water Management: Switching to grass clover-lucerne and méteil has improved soil structure and water management, though it remains challenging.
• Farm Composting: They see potential in using wood chips and manure for composting, hoping for regulatory approval soon.
• Solar Panels and Heat Recovery: These are considered for future implementation.
Their farm is part of the Climate Farm Demo network, which connects pilot farms to demonstrate climate-smart practices and share knowledge. Local farmers provide invaluable support, especially Walloon colleagues who are more advanced in organic farming and agro-ecology.
Veerle and Colin believe in farming with nature while maintaining economic viability, emphasizing the need for greater appreciation and visibility of farmers’ efforts
Summary for Practicioners in Native Language
Twee jaar geleden namen Veerle en Colin het melkveebedrijf van Veerle’s ouders over en transformeerden ze het van een klassiek melkveebedrijf, gericht op de productie van matten voor Geraardsbergse mattentaarten, naar een duurzamer bedrijf. Ze hebben nu 12 English Longhorns voor vlees en 70 melkkoeien, samen met 35 ha akkerland en 30 ha grasland.
Veerle, met haar achtergrond als milieujuriste, verwelkomde het voorstel voor een klimaatscan. De eerste resultaten van de Klimrek-tool benadrukten nuttige maatregelen, waarvan sommige onmiddellijk werden geïmplementeerd, terwijl andere voor de toekomst zijn gepland.
Hun klimaatmaatregelen omvatten:
• Hagen en bomen: Met steun van BOS+ en Regionaal Landschap Vlaamse Ardennen richten ze zich op hagen, bomen en bloemenranden voor koolstofopslag en biodiversiteit.
• Grasklaver-luzerne: Ze verminderden de voedermaïs van 22 ha naar 10 ha en vervingen die door een grasklaver-luzernemengsel, dat minder bemesting vereist.
• Triticale – veldbonen: Ze plantten 6 ha triticale-veldbonen om soja in het voer te vervangen, met begeleiding van collega’s en projectadviseurs.
• Bodemgezondheid en waterhuishouding: De overstap naar grasklaver-luzerne en méteil heeft de bodemstructuur en waterhuishouding verbeterd, hoewel het uitdagend blijft.
• Boerderijcompostering: Ze zien mogelijkheden in het gebruik van houtige snippers en mest voor compostering en hopen op snelle goedkeuring van de regelgeving.
• Zonnepanelen en warmteterugwinning: Deze worden overwogen voor toekomstige implementatie.
Hun bedrijf maakt deel uit van het Climate Farm Demo-netwerk, dat proefboerderijen verbindt om klimaatslimme praktijken te demonstreren en kennis te delen. Lokale boeren bieden onschatbare steun, vooral Waalse collega’s die verder staan in biologische landbouw en agro-ecologie.
Veerle en Colin geloven in boeren met de natuur, terwijl ze de economische levensvatbaarheid behouden, en benadrukken de noodzaak van meer waardering en zichtbaarheid voor de inspanningen van boeren.
Additional Information
Two years ago, Veerle and Colin took over Veerle’s parents’ dairy farm. At the time, it was still a traditional dairy operation, primarily focused on producing milk for Geraardsbergen mattentaarten. Since their sons are eager to continue the family business, they have also committed to supporting the farm’s development.
The farm currently includes 12 English Longhorns—purely grass-fed and bred for meat—and 70 dairy cows. Additionally, they manage 35 hectares of arable land and 30 hectares of grassland.
What Did They Think of the Climate Scan?
With her background as an environmental lawyer, Veerle is well aware of current climate challenges. She gladly accepted the proposal to carry out a climate scan. The initial results, using the Klimrek tool, were not extraordinary but clarified several key areas and highlighted useful climate measures. Some actions were implemented immediately; others are planned. They selected measures from the plan they considered feasible.
What Climate Measures Are They Taking on Their Farm?
• Hedges and trees: With support from the forestry project by Bos+ and Regional Landscape Flemish Ardennes, they are planting hedges, fruit trees, and flower borders. These contribute to carbon storage and support a biodiverse, climate-resilient landscape. They also participate in the LEADER project “From Stump to Chip” for maintenance assistance.
• Grass-clover-lucerne mix: They reduced their fodder maize area from 22 to 10 hectares by replacing it with a grass-clover-lucerne mixture. These fields require less fertilisation to allow clover to return—a shift that also involves adapting contractor practices. Visits to Walloon organic farms helped them learn about mowing and haying techniques. For instance, bales from November 2024 tested well for digestibility. Some meadows haven’t been renewed for 30 years; they are now actively restoring them where feasible.
• Triticale-field beans: They sowed 6 hectares with this mixture to reduce reliance on soy in feed. Although field beans are not widely grown, they found a fellow farmer and advisers to support them.
• Soil health and water management: The transition to grass-clover-lucerne and méteil (a mixed crop of grains and legumes) has improved soil structure and water retention. Results have varied due to the weather: in year one, they had success after maize; in year two, wet conditions delayed mowing, reducing quality.
• Farm composting: They aim to develop on-farm composting using wood chips and manure. However, current regulations are a barrier, especially compared to those of their Walloon neighbours.
• Solar panels and heat recovery: These are under consideration for future implementation.
A Message to Fellow Farmers
Their farm is part of the Climate Farm Demo network, a European initiative that brings together pilot farms to showcase climate-smart practices and share knowledge. This network fosters collaboration with farmers, researchers, and policymakers, enabling quicker adoption of innovative solutions.
Support from local and Walloon farmers has been crucial. Their experience and practical tips—such as seed sourcing and sowing density—have inspired confidence. Farming remains a craft, and learning from peers is vital. Veerle and Colin believe in working with nature while staying economically viable. It takes effort, and farmers deserve more recognition and visibility for this important work.