Citizens without land become farmers

At the Biobeurs organic fair, Els Hegger and Stefan Hanstede won the Newbie Prize for their land-independent farming model, De Mobile Gaard. Based in Lochem, they lease unused plots from private owners, offering 10% of the harvest in return. The initiative, born from a biodiversity group at Natuurmonumenten, began with five pigs and allows seasonal relocation to avoid land dependency. The duo, former Wageningen University staff and organic farm workers, have since attracted more land than they can manage. Their story has drawn national media attention on Dutch TV and radio.