Farming with Nature

About the program

The narrative comes from many sides and is becoming more urgent: something has to change in how we deal with nature, our landscape and our resources. And it is becoming increasingly clear that agriculture has an important part to play in this regard. In this minor, we present the various views and positions. We work with parties in the field to find sustainable solutions that combine nature conservation and protection with economically viable agriculture. The central challenge is to bring agricultural entrepreneurs and ‘the environment’ closer together. It is not an easy puzzle at all since both sides have tough goals to achieve. You will work hands on in an interdisciplinary project team, on practical issues.

Learning goals

During this minor, you will mainly work on:

• deepening your professional knowledge on this subject, to help you understand the relationship between agriculture and nature;
• your ability to contribute this knowledge to complex practical issues in a region (in the Netherlands or Poland), in close cooperation with students from other study programmes and parties from the professional field;
• shaping sustainable solutions to practical problems – both at the area level and at the entrepreneurial level – with a focus on nature, society and the economy;

You have a choice between focusing on a Dutch or an international situation. You might work on an issue in collaboration with a university and regional parties in Poland, for example.

In order to create meaningful impact as an entrepreneur, consultant or working for the government, it is crucial that you are enterprising and show confidence and leadership. The minor offers you the opportunity to continue your development in these areas as well.