In this immersive on-the-ground farm tour, I visit Howard Koster—a passionate farmer who’s redefining agriculture with agroforestry, food forests, and an ecosystem-first mindset. From army deployments to building a regenerative farm in the Netherlands, Howard’s story is inspiring, thought-provoking, and a call to action for a better food future. 🌍
Howard and his team are proving that regenerative agriculture is not only possible but essential. With innovative approaches like alley cropping, food forests, and multi-functional crops such as sorghum and lupine, they’re restoring biodiversity, improving soil health, and creating resilient food systems—all while connecting deeply with their local community.
🔥 What you’ll see in this video:
• A guided tour of the 25-hectare farm transitioning from traditional dairy land to a thriving, diverse ecosystem.
• Howard’s innovative agroforestry systems with plum, hazelnut, and apple trees.
• The difference between a romantic food forest 🌳 (focused on education and connection) and a productive food forest designed for efficient harvesting.
• Why crops like sorghum and lupine are game-changers for soil health and sustainable diets.
• How a grassroots movement like “Land van Ons” is helping new farmers access land below market price.
• The role of animals like chickens 🐔 and ducks in building ecosystem resilience.
• How enterprise stacking—including farm lunches, CSA subscriptions, and direct-to-consumer products—is key to economic sustainability.
📢 This is more than farming. It’s about creating food systems that nourish people, planet, and community. Join us for this walk-and-talk journey, and discover how complexity, biodiversity, and a little bit of imagination are shaping the future of agriculture.
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction - Meet Howard Koster
6:10 Transitioning from Dairy Land to Agroforestry
9:57 Designing a Food Forest
13:29 Alley Cropping Systems
16:23 Sorghum and Multifunctional Crops
19:03 Exploring Lupine and Crop Functionality
22:12 Challenges in the Dutch Agricultural System
24:23 The Role of Animals in Regenerative Systems
27:10 The Concept of “Food as Medicine”
32:15 Community Land Trusts and True Food Costs
33:27 Biodiversity Strips and Agroforestry Challenges
36:05 Complexity and Resilience in Farming
38:14 Community Building Through the Farm
40:15 Enterprise Stacking and Economic Sustainability
43:59 Future Plans for the Farm