THE PROJECT
Our Story
Alnarp’s Agroecology Farm was started in 2021 by a group of passionate Agroecology master’s students at SLU. They shared a vision of creating a space for developing practical skills in farming, where theory could be tested by applying it to the reality of running a small-scale farming business. The farm would also become a vital educational tool and research facility over time, as well as a warm and welcoming environment that brought together all members of the local community.
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A project such as this was felt to be missing in Alnarp and so, encouraged by Faculty members and fellow students, the agroecology students drew up their vision, goals and business plan for Alnarp’s Farm. They were successful in obtaining initial grants and our first plot of land of 400m2 in front of Grohuset.
Due to lack of available space on the Alnarp campus, the project was offered land to expand on at Mellangård in 2022. By the end of 2022, Alnarp’s Farm will achieve financial self-sufficiency and continue to be handed down the generations of students, researchers and committed individuals who wish to learn, participate in and work towards a more sustainable food system.
Our growing method(s)
Our market garden is built on a ‘no dig’ method that is popular amongst small-scale vegetable producers. We have chosen this method because it minimises disturbance to the soil and allows the soil microorganisms to flourish. It also naturally reduces pressure from weeds, which means that chemical intervention is not necessary.
Part of our garden is organically certified, although our methods are far beyond the requirements for organic certification.
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In 2022, we will start to develop a ‘food forest’. This is an area containing trees, bushes and herbaceous perennials that are all edible for humans. A food forest optimises harmonies between different species and their abilities to defend each other from pests and disease, as well as to provide each other with nutrients and shelter from bad weather. It is also a recreational space, where we can meet one another and be surrounded by nature.
Learn more from Charles Dowding the ultimate expert of the no dig method!
what is agroecology?
A short definition.
Agroecology is a holistic study of the agricultural system, where the effects of growing food is analysed from environmental, economic and social standpoints.
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Environmentally, the challenge is:
-how can we minimise the negative effects of agriculture, such as pollution, biodiversity decline and soil depletion while still being able to provide enough food? And then,
-how can we make it economically viable?
-Finally, does the food system reflect the needs of our diverse society or does it serve the interests of just a few?
Agroecology tackles the food system as a whole by trying to find the best answers to these kinds of questions. Our little farm won’t change the whole food system, but we attempt to answer these questions through the Daily decisions we make.
Overview of the thirteen principles of agroecology and three operational principles of sustainable food systems
The Team
the board
Marie-Claire Feller
Chairperson
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Ingrid Svedhem
Internship Coordinator
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Mariana Forero
Secretary
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Law, Columbia
Verity Swift
Research Coordinator
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Joar Löfberg
Treasurer
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Thomas Hubbard
Agroforestry Manager
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Forestry and Landscape Bachelor Student, SLU
Leon Biundo
Production Manager
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Horticulture Master Student, SLU
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Kathi Schnäckel
Community Manager
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Sociology,
Sustainability Studies
THE TEAM MEMBERS
the custodians
At Alnarp's Farm, anyone who regularly helps out on the farm is considered a Farm Custodian. We like the idea that the farm belongs to anyone who participates to the project in any way. We are so grateful for every single person who helped us on the field or elsewhere.
Long live the bees!
Matilda, Dawid, Xavier, Niels, Sarah, Hester, Moa, Johanna, Magnus, Arthur, Bryce, Marta Stamatis, Leonie, Alvar, Betty, Lovisa, Siri, Ola, Oli, Noa, Amy, Anne, Hugo, Philip, Linus, Helene, Caro, Roos, Felicia, Szu-Ying, Marios, Theodor, Clara, Cornelia, Marcus, Laurin, Aaron, Talia, Julia, Lucas, Frida, Rafa, Anna, Isak, Kajsa, Paul, Sara, Susan, Berglind, Elin, Henry, Oskar, Femke, Josefin, Sofia, Kris, Elsa, Linus, Michi, Pauli, Dominique, Leon, Tamerat, Ola, Noa, Vera, Eva, Katerina, Lisa, Sorka, Loesje, Charles, Reband, Anouk & many many more......
The Farm Family Tree
These amazing humans have been involved in building up the farm and organization
Caroline Thorne
Chairperson
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Xinyu Ma
Secretary
2021
Agroecology Master Students, SLU
Lily Begg
Project Leader
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Christoph Löffler
Education Manager
2021
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Max Andersson
Research Manager
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Laurens Post
Field manager & advisor
2021-2023
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Philipp Hansen
Production Manager/Advisor
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
The Advisory board
The advisory board is there to assist the board with specific advise, whether it is a contact, specific expertise,
feedback, persepctive and moral support if needed.
Most of the members of the advisory board are former board members so knowledge transition can
continue even after people have left Sweden. Addtionally, the advisory board is represented by important individuals that are supporting the farm from all kinds of backgrounds.
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Nicholas Jackobsson
Teun Dekker
Sara Kyrö Wissler
Charles van de Kerkhof
Senior Innovation & Business Advisor
SLU Holding
Programme director
Agroecology Master , Researcher, SLU
Project Leader, Campus development
SLU
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Project Manager of Venture Lab SLU & Founder of Fjällgås AB
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Caroline Thorne
Chairperson
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Lily Begg
Project Leader
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Max Andersson
Research Manager
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Philipp Hansen
Production Manager/Advisor
2020-2022
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
Laurens Post
Field manager & advisor
2021-2023
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Agroecology Master Student, SLU
The farm dogs
The sweetest creatures that protect our gardens from rabbits, phasants and brighten up our day
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Betty
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the best girl,
loves radishes & chasing anything that moves
Genervra
also the best girl,
loves cuddles and hates people she assumes to be men
Melvin
the best boy
really likes people he assumes to be men
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Apollo
also the best boy,
loves to sleep on people
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The grounds
Mellangård
Off campus
Main plot (since 2022)
Market Garden (800 m2)
Food Forest
CSA pick-up
The original Grounds
On campus
Very first farm site (since 2021)
Market Garden (400m2)
Weekly farm markets