What are the practical benefits of rewetting peatlands for the climate, nature and future-proof farming? Is it possible to farm on wet peat, and if so, how? These questions were the focus of an excursion to the Hegewarren Peat Innovation Polder, where around 35 participants went for a cycle last Saturday. The tour was organised by the Agricultural Working Group of the Fryske Akademy and the Frisian Environmental Federation and provided an insight into innovative ways of making the peat meadow area future-proof.

Following an introduction to the challenges facing the peat meadow area, such as land subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of the VIP-Hegewarren Foundation, the group was split up and guided around the area. The foundation operates two experimental farms: a peatland organic dairy farm and a peatland water management farm, where they are work new ways of utilising wet peatlands.

At the dairy farm, Ids van der Ploeg, manager of the Foundation, spoke about finding the right combination of ditch levels and infiltration drains to keep the peat as wet as possible. However, wet peat is vulnerable to trampling by livestock. That is why a modified grazing system is used here: cows graze only the growth of the previous day on a daily basis. This approach promotes the formation of a firm grass sward and thereby increases the soil’s bearing capacity.

As Jasper van Belle demonstrated, the peat and water management company is conducting experiments with cattail, amongst other things. At the edge of a trial field, participants were given an explanation of how to prepare a seedbed (preferably by disturbing the soil as little as possible), sowing methods, water level management and also: protection against geese. Cattail appears to grow well on the former nutrient-rich agricultural land. As the soil becomes less fertile, reeds will gradually gain ground.

At both trial sites, the focus is not only on ecology but also on economic viability. This is of great importance for the future of businesses in the area, but also for the innovation polder itself, which is half-dependent on subsidies and must generate the rest from its own income.

The organisers look back on a successful excursion. Participants had ample opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with one another. The expertise of Ids van der Ploeg and Jasper van Belle added tot he overall picture of a sector that is in a state of flux and seeking new ways to ensure that nature and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.

The meetings or the invited speakers of the Agricultural Working Group are regularly featured in the media.

• “Veenweide was vroeger een zaak van boer en lokale politiek. Nu bemoeit iedereen zich ermee” an interview with Mark Raat in the Leeuwarder Courant. Raat obtained his PhD at the Fryske Akademy and discusses his research in the article following his presentation at the Agricultural Working Group on 20 February 2026. Read the article here
• Ina Koostra Vogel wrote an article in De Veldpost about the meeting on 20 February 2026: “Lessen trekken uit verleden in besluitvorming Veenweidegebied”. Read the article here
• A brief report on the meeting of 16 January 2026 with Frits van der Schans and Kasper van Benthem can be found on the LinkedIn page of the Fries Landbouwmuseum.  Read the article here
• Rob van Lint, chair of the CTGB, spoke about their working methods and the tension between the use of agricultural inputs and issues such as food safety, food security and environmental protection. Also present at the debate were: Jan Roelsma (Wetterskip Fryslân) and Nicolette Quaedvlieg (GroentenFruit Huis). The Leeuwarder Courant conducted an interview with Rob van Lint following the meeting. Read the article here