While AFaktive began with six pilot farms that are now well advanced in planning and implementation, the project is already moving into its next phase: the expansion to twelve additional farms across Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Although this expansion phase has not yet officially started, the project approach remains flexible and opportunity-driven. Where there is strong motivation from farmers, preparatory work can begin early. Interested farms are encouraged to get in touch with one of the project partners to explore how they can become part of AFaktive.
One of the first farms to engage in this early phase is Pomona, a 2.7-hectare community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm in Brakel, in the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium). Together with the project partners ILVO and FSG, the farm manager began working on the design of an agroforestry system last year.
Pomona focuses on regenerative, agroecological production of vegetables, fruit and eggs, with the potential to include meat production in the future. The farm is already structured into several land-use components: meadow (0.6 ha), field (1.2 ha), forest (0.2 ha) and orchard (1 ha). The central 1.2-hectare field currently hosts the main vegetable CSA production, supported by three greenhouses.
Building on this existing structure, the partners have developed a comprehensive Agroforestry & Water Management (AWM) plan for the entire farm—providing a “bird’s-eye view” of how agroforestry can support water management, production, and long-term resilience.
The plan is now close to completion, and the first planting activities have already started—marking an important milestone for the AFaktive expansion phase.