Top 50 Farmers: the success of regenerative farming
The future of farming is moving towards regenerative practices. The Top 50 Farmers initiative leads this change. Zoltán Lengyel, the head of Táncoskert Farm, is part of the program, showing that sustainable methods benefit both the environment and farmers.
Agriculture is undergoing a continuous shift, and regenerative farming is becoming more popular. Many groups and organizations support these new farming methods.
Top 50 Farmers: the quiet revolution of agriculture
The Top 50 Farmers initiative serves as a catalyst forchange. The goal of this ambition is to create new opportunities and help farmers ensure sustainable food production in the future. The initiative is convinced that sectoral support, increasing market demand, and innovative financing solutions play a key role in transforming the agricultural sector.. Top 50 Farmers is more than just a platform; it is an active community where agricultural stakeholders can connect and work together to promote regenerative farming.
From an idea to a movement: the story of Top 50 Farmers
The idea for the project was born in 2022 in Denmark, when Astanor – a pioneering agri-food technology impact investment fund – organized a two-day conference in Denmark. This event brought together chefs, entrepreneurs, and farmers to discuss how to accelerate the uptake of regenerative agriculture. The result of these conversations was the creation of Top 50 Farmers, which aims the agricultural stakeholders of the future and provide them a strong professional network.
Top 50 Farmers is a project started by Foodprint Nordic, in collaboration with Analisa Winther and with support from Astanor. It has quickly grown into a movement that includes farmers from various European countries who are working in regenerative agriculture. The project aims to help farmers by providing innovative business models and new financing options, along with economic and professional support.
A Hungarian success: Zoltán Lengyel and Táncoskert
One of the well-known Hungarian members of the Top 50 Farmers community is Zoltán Lengyel, who runs a farm called Táncoskert. Táncoskert is a holistically managed, regenerative farm, where all decisions are made according to the principles of Holistic Management. This approach not only prioritizes sustainability but also emphasizes that all areas of farming are in harmony with natural ecological processes.
The Táncoskert is a educational farm of the Hungarian Savory Center. It operates as a certified area in the Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) system.
The farm uses grazing, they call their arable land seed land, which is cultivated with no-till or min-till methods according to the principles of organic farming. Most of the Táncoskert areas have Organic Farm Certification and the farm is committed to sustainable producing while protecting natural resources.
The Táncoskert is a Model Farm that is part of the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project, which involves as an associated beneficiary the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture. This platform provides an opportunity for farmers to learn about the methods applied by Zoltán and to test their effectiveness on their own farms
What is regenerative farming?
Regenerative agriculture is more than just a new trend in sustainability. It is based on the idea that life depends on healthy soil. What nourishes me, I also nourish, and this common relationship helps create stable food production that traditional farming methods may struggle to maintain. The Top 50 Farmers not only inspire others but also provide support to farmers who choose this regenerative approach.
Source: The Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK)