open call
OPEN CALL ERF spring cycle 2026 FARM
This residency is meant for regenerative farmers that are about to start their own regenerative initiative or business, or are already partaking in one, and are looking for ways to deepen or broaden their regenerative understanding in both theory and practice. They will do so by working intensely and all round at Gagel farm, while getting in-depth feedback on their own proposals or plans. They will also work with EAT and RECONNECT residents to deepen their understanding of the importance of regenerative food cultures and the role of the arts in visualizing and imagining reciprocal futures.
Industrial agriculture – characterised by intensive plowing, overgrazing, monocultures, animal suffering, pesticides and artificial fertilizers – is still the norm in Europe. Consequently, we live in a time of extreme loss of life due to the destruction of ecosystems and exhaustion of soils. Within this conventional system, the farmers have become the revenue model for large corporations and food is mainly distributed on a global scale, rather than feeding local communities. Additionally, the nutritional value of the food produced by conventional agriculture is plummeting, and pesticides and plastics have become part of our daily meals.
Worldwide, industrial agriculture is causing the loss of 30 football pitches worth of fertile, living soils per minute – amounting to 12 million hectares per year. Food systems that destroy life cannot feed us. Depleted soils can no longer withstand increasing temperatures, severe drought or rainfall, and thus cannot support life. That is, unless they are regenerated.
Regenerative agriculture offers a new, hands-on perspective on how humans can co-create landscapes that are abundant in food as well as life. We need more regenerative farmers to build new food systems which focus on feeding all forms of life, on rebuilding ecosystems and facilitating healthy habitats for all beings that reside in our landscapes.
ERF is a multi-year residency programme hosted by Valley of the Possible and Bodemzicht Foundation at Gagel Farm. Our mission is to facilitate the transition to a regenerative (agri)culture through the cross-pollination of contemporary residences taking place by artists, cooks and culinary professionals, farmers and scientists. ERF consists of three trajectories which each offer space for the situated entanglement of different disciplines through the exchange of embodied knowledge, theoretical knowledge, inspiration and collaboration at a regenerative farm.
For 40 days two EAT residents, two FARM residents and one RECONNECT resident will work collaboratively and side by side on the farm. All residents will work, cook, eat and collaborate with the entire Gagel Farm team, have designated mentors, are offered free coaching and are invited to partake in (interdisciplinary) workshops in order to stimulate cross pollination.
Space, time, guidance and infrastructure to deepen your practice as a regenerative farmer
40 days stay at Gagel Farm campsite in a cosy, private bell tent
Access to a covered outdoor resident kitchen for experiments and gatherings
Access to a communal indoor space for study and work for all residents
A broad, European network of regenerative farmers and agricultural organisations to refer to in your journey to start or reinvent your own regenerative farm.
Participation in the 'Holistic Context' course at Gagel Farm on 10-12 April, 2026 free of cost. (Participation is obligatory).
A 50% reduction on the course ‘How to start a regenerative farm?’ at Gagel Farm to gain insight into regenerative farming and holistic management, departing from a general introduction to regeneration by Anne van Leeuwen
A stipendium with a total of €2000 per per person per residency period.
Insight into how a regenerative farm works and who grows, hatches, blooms, sleeps, flies and dies in which season
Professional guidance by Ricardo Cano Mateo, Spanish biologist, regenerative designer and entrepreneuring farmer at Gagel farm
3 hours a week of dedicated, 1-on-1 coaching by Gagel Farm’s own entrepreneuring farmers Anne van Leeuwen, Daan Houwers or Ricardo Cano Mateo, based on your personal preference and focus
Anne van Leeuwen is responsible for storytelling, farm animals and network
Daan Houwers is responsible for our tree nursery and on the ground operations
Ricardo Cano Mateo is responsible for design and planning
An inspirational workshop hosted at Gagel Farm by a pioneer in regenerative farming from Europe
(Group) coaching of ERF residents by Olaf Boswijk, co-founder of Valley of the Possible, to help guide you in your personal growth and the specific needs of your creative practice.