by sdaylevesque

Rooted in the Soil: Sharing Farmer Perspectives on the Role They Need Finance to Play

In order to effectively transform the food system from extractive to regenerative, farmers must remain at the center of this effort. Their unique needs and the fulfillment of these needs are inextricably linked our ability to be successful – or not – in creating new systems of approach to agriculture and food. If we leave their needs unmet, we may be left with the same extractive systems that exist today. If we work to address their needs and the needs of other system stakeholders, we can start to align systemic values and outcomes.

Congruently, in order to fund the on-farm transition, the approach must be grounded in the current farming realities – in all their diverse forms. At RFSI, this is one of our core tenants and we aim to keep this elevated in our content sharing and programming. Earlier this year, we dug into the diversity and complexity of transition in a conversation hosted by Koen van Seijen and featuring farmers: Benedikt Bösel of Gut & Bösel, Isabelle D’Ursel of Smissenbroek, Dimitri Tsitos of Agrosystemi, and Anne van Leeuwen of Bodemzicht. The goal was not simply to discuss the opportunities and challenges that regenerative presents but to help inform those working on financing and investing in the transition about what is needed most – in terms of capital, but perhaps more importantly, in terms of a nuanced and thoughtful approach to finance.

The panelists – who represented diverse European geographies, cropping systems, and scale of operations – shared some unique characteristics of the transition that they thought every funder should be aware of as they seek to invest in the space, including:

  • The need for context specific approaches
  • The immense shift – in terms of practice and culture – that transition requires and the knowledge gaps that may need to be filled
  • Where else the systems needs to be funded to build systems that better support farmers’ journeys
  • The risk associated with farming and the role capital can play in addressing it

The conversation weaved through the realities that each farmer has faced on their own journeys into regeneration – touching on the beauties that motivate them to work in harmony with nature and also on the practicalities of the farm businesses and systems they operate in.

The conversation ended with a key question: what would be the most catalytic for farmers – what do they need? The panelists did not hesitate to articulate a fairly expansive wish list that illustrates the opportunity that exists and the portfolio of work that still needs to be done on the road to regeneration. These needs include:

  • Education and coaching on the transition: The need for farmer technical assistance was articulated throughout the conversation but Isabelle also pointed to the need for education in schools and communities on agriculture and regeneration.
  • A financial buffer to make the transition for existing farmers possible…and
  • Access to land – especially for non-farmer who face a higher barrier to entry.
  • Measurable benefits to translate to the investment community: Benedikt called for funders and investors to “look transparently at the ecological and social values that come from regenerative agriculture – not just the financial impacts.”
  • Support for farmers to join forces: Anne uses the example of EARA – a group of 65 farmers founded in 2023 to bring the farmer voice to critical country and EU-level conversations.
  • A reframing of risk: Most specifically, can the finance industry move beyond considering strictly financial risk to addressing how capital works with farmers to balance their risk.
  • Creative thinking: Anne called on the audience to address how we “come up with a system that actually wants to invest in life! That’s the best investment we can make!”

And perhaps the simplest recommendation that also comes with a high ROI came from Benedikt: have conversations with farmers near you to learn for yourself!

This enlightening conversation can inform work across systems investment and transformation no matter where you work in the space – watch below!

RFSI Europe 2025 will take place February 26-27 in Brussels. Click here to learn more.