On 17 June, the Dutch Agricultural Youth Organisation (NAJK) organised a symposium marking the farewell of its chair, Roy Meijer. The event brought together young farmers, policymakers, researchers and agricultural organisations to reflect on the future of farming and the role of the next generation. Throughout the discussions, one message stood out: young farmers are willing to lead the transition, but they need clear goals, long-term certainty and the right support to do so.
From uncertainty to long-term perspective
Opening the symposium, NAJK Chair Gerben Boom reflected on the turbulent years the organisation has experienced, including farmers’ protests and discussions on agricultural policy. He emphasised that NAJK has grown into an organisation that represents young farmers from daily practice, with one clear ambition: ensuring that people are still willing and able to produce food in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time.
Vice-chair Merel Straathof expanded on this vision by presenting NAJK’s principles for future-proof entrepreneurship. According to her, young farmers are ready to contribute to food production, biodiversity, climate action and landscape management, but only if the framework is clear.
“How can you win if you don’t know the rules of the game?” — She argued that Europe and national governments first need to define what agriculture should look like in 2050 and then translate this vision into clear regional and farm-level perspectives. Rather than prescribing how farmers should operate, policies should focus on results, give entrepreneurs responsibility for their own businesses and reward those who lead the transition. At the same time, governments must provide the right enabling conditions through legal certainty, innovation support, strong supply chains and fair market conditions.
Turning policy into practical action
During the panel discussion, CEJA President Peter Meedendorp highlighted one of the biggest challenges young farmers face across Europe: translating broad policy ambitions into practical decisions on individual farms.
He noted that while strategic goals are often clear at European level, farmers frequently ask themselves: “What does this actually mean for my farm?” Without practical guidance, transitions become difficult to implement. He therefore stressed that farmers who take steps towards sustainability should also be rewarded, while conflicting policy objectives need to be avoided.
Later in the discussion, Peter also argued that result-based approaches (goal-oriented policies) should remain a choice rather than an obligation. Different farms and regions require different approaches, and policy should leave room for entrepreneurs to choose the system that best fits their business.
Young farmers are ready — if governments create the right conditions
Across the different contributions, a common message emerged: Europe’s young farmers are motivated to innovate and contribute to climate, biodiversity and food security objectives. However, successful transitions require more than ambitious targets alone. They require predictable policies, trust in farmers’ entrepreneurship, practical support and long-term investment certainty.
These messages closely reflect several challenges identified within the CORE Rural Initiative, particularly around policy uncertainty, creating attractive conditions for young farmers to enter and remain in agriculture, and ensuring that the transition is both achievable and economically viable. We should motivate and support young farmers so they can do what society asks of them, because they cannot do it alone.