Golden Grounds Program

The Golden Grounds program is a collaboration between:

• Province of Groningen
• Association of organic farmers in the Wadden Sea region (Biowad)
• Collective Groningen West (CGW)
• Collective Midden Groningen (CMG)
• Agricultural Nature Association Wierde & Dijk
• Noorderzijlvest Water Authority

These parties form a project group that is responsible for implementing the program.

The project group

• The project group reports annually to the boards of the participating parties.
• The project group is supported by a program manager.

The Golden Soils program promotes sustainable use of soil for agriculture and water management.

Objective

With Gouden Gronden, we ensure that agriculture makes use of knowledge about good soil management. We focus on the large-scale application of techniques and measures that can contribute to improving soil structure. In this way, we strengthen the water systemand make agriculture more sustainable and profitable.

• Important problems we want to solve in this way are: salinization, pollution, desiccation, and flooding.

Measures

To strengthen the water system and make agriculture more sustainable and profitable, the collaborating parties are taking a number of measures:

• We are making agriculture less dependent on the supply of fresh water. This can be achieved by increasing the freshwater buffer in the soil and by growing more drought-resistant varieties or crops.
• We prevent flooding by improving soil permeability and increasing water storage in the soil.
• We are reducing the amount of nutrients and crop protection products that wash into surface water. This can be achieved by increasing the organic matter content, increasing the infiltration capacity, and limiting the quantities of products used.
• We are increasing agricultural yields. In doing so, we are looking at opportunities to reduce costs by using fewer crop protection products and by planting crops and varieties that are better suited to the future climate.
• We increase soil biodiversity. For example, by refraining from soil disinfection and intensive tillage. This allows agriculture to once again benefit from the life in the soil.

Oefenlab Water is a demonstration site run by Gouden Gronden where you can learn how to measure groundwater quality, desiccation, and salinization.

What is the problem?

It is not easy for a farmer to measure the quality of the groundwater or the amount of soil moisture on his plot. If he does have this information, he can see the impact of his management on the moisture content in his plot or the water in the ditch. This enables him to better prevent desiccation and salinization.

How do we approach this?

We are installing various permanent and temporary measuring equipment on a sample plot at the Kollumerwaard experimental farm. Groups of farmers can gain practical experience here in measuring groundwater levels, soil moisture, and water quality, for example. They also learn how they can use the measurement data on their own farms.

How can you participate?

If your company is located within the project area, please contact the Gouden Gronden secretariat. We will then discuss the possibilities together. goudengronden@noorderzijlvest.nl

Salinization is a problem for agriculture. But the soil itself can contribute to this. The soil is our savings account for fresh water. Hence the name Spaarbodem (Savings Soil).

Spaarbodem is a project of the Gouden Gronden program and is also part of the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW). Within the framework of DAW, water boards, LTO Noord, and other partners are working closely together to improve water quality and water management in the Netherlands. The Spaarbodem project focuses on arable farmers in the management area of the Noorderzijlvest Water Board in the province of Groningen. Spaarbodem is funded by the Noorderzijlvest Water Board, the Province of Groningen, and DAW.

Understanding the importance of good soil management

Many arable farmers in the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority management area (province of Groningen) are aware of the general problems. However, the importance of good soil management for water quality and quantity in the area and for their own plot yields is often overlooked. Soil subsidence, developments in agriculture, climate change, and salinization are putting pressure on soil management. One consequence of this is that water quality is deteriorating. Improving soil structure and soil management is essential to ensure that water quality improves. Good soil structure retains water for longer. This prevents the runoff of crop protection products and suppresses the saline seepage that leads to salinization.

Win-win situation

At Spaarbodem, information, knowledge transfer, and advice are central, both in groups and individually. The information and advice are aimed at achieving the desired situation: better soil structure, better infiltration, and combating salinization. This creates a win-win situation. As a farmer, you gain insight into soil management and related measures. If these measures are implemented correctly, this also benefits water manager Noorderzijlvest!

How does the Spaarbodem project work?

Sixty farmers can participate in the Spaarbodem project, divided into four theme groups. The themes form 'frameworks' within which concrete actions on the plot are explored in depth:

• Organic matter (structure improvement, nourishing soil life, resilience, carbon sequestration)
• Soil compaction and soil structure (including improvement of capillary action).
• Year-round green cover plots/cultivation plan(including protection against drying out, dust dispersion, and runoff).
• Non-inversion tillage (including natural processes in soil, structure improvement).

In a theme group, you will work with 15 fellow entrepreneurs to implement soil improvement measures related to the theme. Each theme group will designate one demonstration farm where one or more measures will be implemented under the supervision of external experts. In addition, the other participating companies in the group will also implement selected measures themselves. With the knowledge and experience you gain in the project, you will fulfill an ambassadorial role, inspiring other entrepreneurs.

Improve your soil and thus the yield of your plot!

Want to contribute to better soil management? Then Spaarbodem is for you. More information www.projectenltonoord.nl/spaarbodem.

How can you participate?

You can participate if your business is located within the project area and on northern clay soil. Please contact the Gouden Gronden secretariat if you would like to participate. We will then discuss the possibilities together. Send an email to goudengronden@noorderzijlvest.nl.

The Spaarbodem project will run until the end of 2022.

Gouden Gronden has developed an app within the DAW scheme(Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management) that gives the agricultural sector better access to soil science knowledge.

What is the problem?

For good soil management, you need to take many things into account in your business plan. It is often difficult to obtain the necessary information for every situation so that you can make the right choice.

How do we approach this?

TRIJNTJE app

The application is an online web tool that provides insight into water retention capacity at the plot level. Based on map material and online data, the app calculates a soil score: good-moderate-poor. The app provides more information about the plot and factors such as organic matter, infiltration, drainage, and subsoil compaction. By taking various measures, you can influence these factors and the soil score will adjust accordingly. As a farmer, you can consult the information via a drop-down menu and indicate what you want to do with the plot. The app shows which measures are possible and also what effects each measure has on the soil, the yield, and the water system. The app uses calculation models from Wageningen University. We are first creating a test version for a few soil types. If this prototype proves satisfactory, the app will be further developed so that it can be used for all soils within our project area.

Where does the name come from?

The app lists the desired information in a row, like a kind of "train." We added a personal touch by naming it Trijntje. So if you have a question about your soil, ask TRIJNTJE!

What is the schedule?

The TRIJNTJE app was developed during the project period 2018–2021.

Implementation

Get started with TRIJNTJE yourself! The flyer and manual can be found on the SPNA website:The research institute for arable farming on northern clay soils - SPNA

How can you participate?

If your company is located within the project area, please contact the Gouden Gronden secretariat. We will then discuss the possibilities together.goudengronden@noorderzijlvest.nl

Gouden Gronden focuses on arable farming areas and grasslands. In the Weide en Water project, we are investigating which measures can be implemented in grassland areas.

What is the problem?

On many livestock farms, the soil structure and water management of the grassland are not optimal. This leads to lower yields and poor water quality.

How do we approach this?

In 2016, we started the subproject Farmers with a Heart for Water. In preparation for Meadow and Water, this subproject involves identifying measures that can be taken within the framework of good business practices to improve soil structure and water management. In the Weide en Water project, we then approach farmers with information and area-specific meetings. Together with the farmers who want to participate, we determine which measures work best. Together, we examine how we can implement the measures.

What is the schedule?

First, we draw up a project plan. Immediately after the subsidy scheme under which this project falls is opened, the project plan is submitted. Once the plan has been approved, the project can begin. At the earliest, this will be in the spring of 2018.

Implementation

• 2018–2021

How can you participate?

If your grassland is located within the project area, you can contact the Gouden Gronden secretariat. We will then discuss the possibilities together. You can send an email togoudengronden@noorderzijlvest.nl.

These documents do not comply with digital accessibility requirements. If for any reason you are unable to read the documents or if you have any questions, please send an email to goudengronden@noorderzijlvest.nl.

• Farmers and water boards join forces to combat drought - article in Dagblad Van Het Noorden - May 23, 2020.pdf
• Groningen aims to improve soil and water quality - H2O Water Network - February 3, 2020
• Young farmer delves into the soil - article Spaarbodem 2020.pdf
• Distress call from researcher Jeroen Onrust from Oldehove: Help, the worm is disappearing (and yes, that's bad) ( dvhn.nl - February 3, 2020)
• Golden Grounds: Collaboration between agriculture and water management - article Soil + Water March 15, 2018.pdf
• App 'Trijntje' helps farmers improve soil quality - article VELDPOST, Saturday, September 30, 2017.pdf
• Study and dig into the soil for knowledge - article Nieuwe Oogst Jan. 28, 2017.pdf