Our Approach

At Smissenbroek, we believe agriculture should not only produce food, but also restore soil, support biodiversity and strengthen local food systems.

We grow crops for human consumption first, and for a local Belgian market: bread wheat becomes bread, brewing barley becomes Belgian beer, and sunflowers become oil for mayonnaise. Knowing where our food comes from—and keeping the distance between field and plate as short as possible—is central to how we farm.

Our approach combines no-till farming, agroforestry and regenerative practices to build a resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Commitments

• No-Till, Living Soils: We have not ploughed our fields for six years. By disturbing the soil as little as possible and keeping it covered, we protect its structure, retain moisture and nurture the extraordinary life beneath our feet.

• Agroforestry: Trees, hedgerows and crops grow together. They provide shelter from wind and drought, create habitats for wildlife and give us additional harvests of fruits and nuts.

• Food for People, Grown Locally: We prioritize crops destined for human consumption and work with Belgian partners to transform them locally—from wheat for bread and barley for beer to sunflowers for oil.

• 100% Organic: We grow our crops organically, without pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers, controlling weeds mechanically.

• Radical Biodiversity: Diversity above and below ground makes our farm more resilient. Trees, hedges, cover crops, flowers and productive crops create a landscape where agriculture and nature coexist.

• Carbon & Soil: Our agroforestry fields are monitored to better understand how regenerative farming practices and tree planting contribute to carbon storage and healthier soils.

• Regenerative Grazing: Sheep graze in short rotations, helping restore botanical grasslands while naturally returning nutrients to the soil.

Our ambition is simple: to grow good food locally while leaving the land richer, more diverse and more resilient than we found it.