At the Polderlab Vrouw Venne, farmers, citizens and researchers work together to shape the future of Dutch agriculture. Our goal: to restore biodiversity and the peat meadow landscape. And that farmers can earn their living sustainably.
We raise water levels and study what this means for soil subsidence, water quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
We experiment with new crops and develop new revenue models for agriculture and peat.
We ensure proper integration within the landscape and monitor biodiversity above- and belowground and in water.
Event
Want to join us for a wintery stroll through the polder? On Sunday morning, February 15, you can learn all about recent developments at the polderlab through guided tours. Visit the Land van Ons website for more information and sign up!
News
All year, researchers, students and volunteers monitor biodiversity and other environmental parameters in the polderlab. The results are written down in reports that can be found on this website under the tab 'Research'.
News
A huge shiny aluminium object stands in the middle of the polderlab. Are researchers trying to contact extraterrestrial life? Certainly not; the 'Moon landers' measure greenhouse gas emissions.
Polderlab Vrouw Venne is a joint cooperation of citizens’ initiative Land van Ons and Leiden University, with support from Regio Holland Rijnland. The polder is located in Oud Ade, near Leiden.
The polderlab covers 32 hectares and consists of several agricultural plots. In each plot, we test different crops and cropping systems. In the process, we raise the groundwater level. This prevents the soil from subsiding and nature from drying out. The aim is to investigate how to practice sustainable agriculture in peatlands.
