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. Interested farms are encouraged to get in touch with one of the project partners to explore how they can be involved in this phase and 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). 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.
Together with the project partners ILVO and FSG, the farm manager began working on an integrated agroforestry and water management design system in the course of 2025. This resulted in 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 past winter the first tree planting activities took place. The historical orchard was restored and enlarged with both high-stem and low-stem fruit trees. Shrubs were planted between the trees and on several locations in the arable field (a.o. honeyberry, blueberry, kiwiberry and figs). A hedge of silverberry was planted alongside the greenhouse to increase the aesthetic appearance. Tree planting will continue in the winter of 2026-2027 when trees and shrubs will be planted in the arable field using a keyline design. In addition, past months the preparations were made for the instalment of a swale. The foreseen location was staked out by a surveyor. Construction of the swale itself will take place in the fall of 2026.
