On Wednesday 17th June, LEUC organized a field trip to ๐๐ผ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ, a cooperative organic farm located on the idyllic Park Abbey grounds in Heverlee, Leuven.
BoerEnCompagnie is a prime showcase of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), where local residents purchase annual harvest subscriptions, funding the farm in exchange for self-harvested vegetables, meat, dairy, artisanal cheese, and flour milled on-site.
The farm is led by Tom Troonbeeckx, who launched Flandersโ first CSA initiative in 2007. His model has since inspired more than 80 CSA initiatives across Flanders. BoerEnCompagnie has over 550 customers and 200 shareholders, who jointly decide on longer-term investments. BoerEnCompagnie is actively involved in community building through educational workshops, harvest festivals, and volunteer involvement.
Jo Govaerts from DG AGRI explained how EU policy tries to support organic farmers through its changing policy framework that takes into account positive spillovers of rural areas, in collaboration with local authorities. And indeed, as soon as you step onto BoerEnCompagnie’s grounds, which are accessible for hikers and joggers, this immediate feeling of calm and quiet washes over you โ set against a backdrop of chirping frogs. Immediate stress release and a real connection with nature โ great for the mind. And yet it’s just 30 min walk from Leuven city centre. Such a lovely place to be
