Giving Back 1%: All in this (land) together
Plein Publique donates 1% of its revenue to Land van Ons. Find out how this citizen-owned cooperative is purchasing farmland to restore biodiversity, soil life, and the Dutch landscape.
As part of our Giving Back 1% initiative, we support Land van Ons. This citizen-led cooperative purchases farmland to restore the Dutch landscape and create space for biodiversity. Read how your purchase helps support the transition to nature-inclusive agriculture!
- Initiative
- Giving Back 1%
- Charity
- Land van Ons
- Organizational Structure
- Citizens' Cooperative
- Objective
- Restoration of Biodiversity, Landscape, and Soil Life on Agricultural Land
- Method
- Purchase of Farmland & Leasing to Nature-Inclusive Farmers
For many Dutch people, being frugal is second nature. But… lest we forget, we only have one of those! We need to take good care of it, which is why we invest 1% of our revenue in initiatives that are actively engaged in nature conservation and biodiversity. Such as the community cooperative that received support from ONS (you & us in Dutch) in the form of a donation*.
LAND VAN ONS
The name says it all. Translated in english as ‘our land’, the landscape around us belongs to all of us. Perhaps not literally our property—it would be quite a mess if everyone did as they pleased—but in a figurative sense, the landscape surrounding us is a common good. Well, “good”… unfortunately, nature around us is not doing well at all; biodiversity, in particular, leaves much to be desired. Land van Ons believes this is partly due to the current ecological structure of farmland. That has to change—and it can change.
Let's give the floor to...
Land van Ons
“Meadows may look beautifully green, but they're dead. It's time to turn the tide!”
Roughly two-thirds of our total land area is farmland, where the loss of biodiversity compared to 60 years ago is the greatest. The main causes are increased scale of operations, the use of large machinery, and agricultural pesticides. Meanwhile, small-scale farming—with a mix of crop farming and livestock raising—actually fostered a great richness of diverse life. It’s time to turn the tide.
MISSION: MAKE (SQUARE) METERS
How?
By buying land! As a cooperative, Land van Ons purchases farmland on behalf of its members, square meter by square meter. Every member has an equal say in the cooperative, whether you contribute €10,000 or €30. Biodiversity and the landscape are restored on the purchased land.
Why?
- Dutch politics revolves around the short term. For decades, policy reports have been written to make agriculture more nature-friendly, but little progress has been made. Why wait on the sidelines when, together, we have the potential to bring about change?
- Change begins with a sense of responsibility. When something is yours, you take on a different kind of responsibility. You become more involved. You gain a better understanding of what’s going on. Land van Ons believes this will lead to behavioral change among citizens. The growth in the number of participants clearly shows that this idea is catching on. Land van Ons launched in mid-November 2019. By the end of December 2019, there were 700 participants, and that number has since risen to more than 25,000.
The big picture?
- Land van Ons aims to become the foundation for a new “ecological framework” for agricultural land—a large buffer of responsibly used land that forms the basis for sustainable biodiversity. Producing food and fostering rural life are by no means mutually exclusive. The countryside should be more than just a place for wind turbines, distribution centers, and solar farms. Land van Ons aims for a landscape that is as natural as possible and on a small scale, rather than fields and pastures dedicated solely to production.
- Together with farmers, sustainable choices are made regarding crops, planting methods, and the layout and management of the fields. This creates more areas with rich soil life and shelter for all kinds of plants, animals, and insects. By incorporating trees, hedges, and thickets into the fields, our landscape becomes more diverse, and you can once again marvel at what you see. Nature reserves will naturally benefit from this as well.
Long story short: Land van Ons is committed, in word and deed, to improving biodiversity, and with your purchase at PLEIN PUBLIQUE, you’re indirectly helping to make that happen.
“future-proof classics future-proof planet”
* The donation is made through the Voorgrond Foundation. This foundation is registered with the tax authorities as an ANBI (Public Benefit Organization), which means we can deduct the donation from our taxes, and Land van Ons does not pay any tax on the donation. Hands off, government. Go dig around in the soil of your own community gardens instead. It’s good for biodiversity, too. :)
** If you’ve read this piece carefully, you’ll drive your Dutch Scrabble opponents completely crazy with the word “struwelen.” Word value: 137. You’re welcome.
More info: Land van Ons website
FAQ
Why does Plein Publique support Land van Ons?
Plein Publique donates 1% of its revenue to sustainability initiatives. Land van Ons is committed to restoring the Dutch landscape and biodiversity by purchasing farmland and ensuring it is farmed in a nature-inclusive manner.
What exactly does the Land van Ons community cooperative do?
With the help of its members, Land van Ons purchases agricultural land in the Netherlands. This land is leased to farmers who farm without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, in order to give soil life, insects, and birds a chance to thrive again.
