Region Zealand is now taking a big step towards a greener future with the launch of the project "Field Initiative Region Zealand - on the way to regenerative agriculture." The initiative aims to assist farmers in transitioning to regenerative cultivation methods, which will enhance biodiversity, reduce the climate footprint, and ensure healthier food.
The project is a collaboration between Region Zealand's Food Alliance and Business Lolland-Falster and has the ambition to make the region a beacon for sustainable food production. Mikkel Wesselhoff, chairman of the Food Alliance's steering group, sees the initiative as an obvious opportunity to combine innovation with climate and biodiversity goals:
- We need to think big, act wisely, and speed up. This project is a concrete step towards a greener and more competitive food sector.
About the project
Purpose: Strengthen biodiversity, reduce the climate footprint, and ensure healthier food.
Timeframe: 2025.
Three main tracks:
Masterclass - Introduction to regenerative agriculture and networking opportunities.
Courses and experience groups - Practical courses and knowledge sharing.
Business cases - Six farmers participate in regenerative trials on their farms.
The project is led by experienced forces from both research and practice. Among the key figures are Harald Krabbe from Frederiksdal Estate, biodiversity expert Lotte Nystrup Lund, and agricultural advisor Hanne Gundersen, who together will develop a practice-based knowledge hub for the inspiration and education of farmers throughout Denmark.
Nestle and Carlsberg
Lotte Nystrup Lund is an expert in biodiversity. She has started Futurista, which helps companies and organizations take a greener path. She is very optimistic about the possibilities for agriculture that must operate under different premises than before.
- We have an incredibly development-oriented and adaptable agriculture. History shows this clearly. Now they just need to be so in a slightly different way, where we adjust some other levers.
And then there is a market in Denmark and out in the big world that wants something different.
- When large producers like Nestle and Carlsberg demand regenerative products, we must also be able to deliver them, says Lotte Nystrup Lund.
Regional Council Chairman Trine Birk Andersen emphasizes that Region Zealand will actively support the green transition through increased use of local and sustainable food in the region's public kitchens:
- We are working to strengthen cooperation with producers who can deliver greener food to our institutions.
The project's experiences and results will be presented at Madens Folkemøde in May and Organic Summit in August 2025.
