Zero Carbon Caravan stops in Almere

On October 19 the Zero Carbon Caravan stopped in Almere to take a look at a climate positive farm and be informed on different innovations through which agriculture might contribute to reducing carbon in the atmosphere.

By Thamar Zijlstra

The Zero Carbon Caravan travels from Wales to Copenhagen to show that carbon free travel is possible. Underway it halts to look at how climate change is tackled locally. Its stop in Almere was hosted by Frans van Schoot of Groenlinks and the European Cyclists’Federation. Frans had organised a meeting on the Stadsboerderij Almere with Rob van Haren.

Biochar discussion

Rob van Haren researches innovations in agriculture to create a Dutch agriculture sector in 2030 which is free of emissions. Biochar is one of the possible methods to achieve this goal. Carbon in biomass materials can be carbonized into biochar. Instead of going into the atmosphere as a gas, carbon is turned into a solid mass. At the same time it can be used to fertilise the soil.

The use of biochar is not undisputed. Chris Keene, organiser of the Caravan, worries that biochar will be used in emissions trade, and will not contribute to actually reducing carbon in the atmosphere. Organic farmer Tim disagrees with another advantage of biochar: increased yields to feed a growing world population. He thinks part of the problem is that we want too much production. The cycle of nature should be perfectly balanced, within the farm and what goes outside the farm. He thinks his farm is the perfect example of well balanced production.

 Climate positive farm

The Stadsboerderij Almere is an organic and climate positive farm. Its way of faming contributes to less carbon. The crops that grow on the farm, like unions, pumpkins, broccoli and wheat, take carbon out of the air through photosynthesis. Each year the carbon contents of the soil is measured and Tim tells us enthusiastically that there has been an increase over the years.

The stable is the heart of the farm. This is where the cycle is closed. During summer the cows and calves go outside to maintain the landscape. During winter the 40 cows eat alphalpla and red clover which is produced on the farm. During this time they produce manure for the land and calves. Meat from the cows is sold in the farm shop.

A recent improvement was made with solar power. This power is used for the freezer in which the meat from the cows is kept. Customers lent money to the Stadsboerderij to buy the solar panels. They will be paid back with meat.

Take a look at the Chris’blog for more stops of the tour.