From 2 to 7 February 2025, CropMix organises a postgraduate course aimed at the transition in agriculture. Registration is now open!

Transition to sustainable agriculture

The (Dutch) agricultural sector faces major challenges including severe losses in biodiversity, waste of resources, dependence on environmentally malign inputs (e.g. pesticides), human health risks of pesticide use and climate change. Furthermore, the economic position of farmers is often vulnerable while citizens demand both affordable food and a clean, biodiverse environment.

The transition to sustainable agriculture requires action on the farm, in the food chain, in policy and legislation and on consumer behavioural level. Therefore, to achieve transition goals we need a collaborative effort of agronomists and economists, ecologists, modellers, transition experts, policy advisors, sociologists, and many more.

What can you expect?

During this one-week PhD course, you will learn how to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture by collaborating with others from different scientific disciplines and backgrounds. What can you and your discipline bring to the table? How do you explain your knowledge so it becomes applicable for others? And what can you learn from others that broadens your perspective?

The course aims to give you applicable skills by offering concrete case studies and mindset to work on systems change. You will define common goals, and explore which tradeoffs and synergies there are between perspectives that different disciplines offer. By using case studies and working in small teams consisting of a broad range of scientists, you will learn to combine your efforts to tackle societal challenges. Guest speakers and lecturers provide you with the real-life context and the scientific knowledge to do so. During the course you will also focus on your role as a scientist in the transition to sustainable agriculture.

Date: 2 to 7 February, 2025

Location: Hotel Bovendonk, Hoeven (Noord-Brabant)

Lecturers/speakers: Several arable farmers and consortium partners are guests to give their perspective on the transition in agriculture. We will also visit the logistics centre of Bakkerbarendrecht. Docenten zijn o.a. Erik Poelman, Dirk van Apeldoorn, Kristiaan Kok, Bep Schrammeijer, Louise Vet, Jeroen Candel, Marius Monen, Niels Anten, Marie Zwetsloot and Marjolein Derks.

Target audience: The course is aimed at PhD candidates and other academics with interest in crop diversity, agriculture and transition. All disciplines are welcome!

Questions? Send us an email at cropmix@wur.nl or visit the website of the graduate school PE-RC.nl.