How can we enhance self-sufficiency in agriculture in terms of nutrients and energy? Palopuro, Finland, is an inspiring example. Now we share our insights at the Lighthouse Farm Academy. 👇
Postdoctoral researcher, Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki and Farming Systems Ecology, WUR
♻️ Self-sufficiency in food production is becoming critical, not only for sustainability but now also to meet new global security challenges. But how can we enhance self-sufficiency in agriculture in terms of nutrients and energy? In Palopuro, Finland, we have done just that, and developed a vision for a nutrient- and energy-self-sufficient food production system. Five years ago, this vision became a reality when Markus Eerola of Knehtilä Farm joined forces with an energy company and started producing biogas from green manure leys within an organic crop rotation. This innovation transformed the farm from an energy consumer into an energy producer while at the same time enabling more efficient nutrient use without the need for additional external inputs. Inspired by this successful project, I pursued research and completed my PhD using the Palopuro Agroecological Symbiosis as a model for circular food systems. Together with colleagues from the University of Helsinki and Wageningen University & Research, I explored how such systems could be scaled up in Finland, culminating in the concept of Nested Circularity. This framework unravels the flows of biomass, nutrients, and energy within food systems, highlight their interconnected dynamics, and provides practical tools to design more circular and self-sufficient food systems from farm to fork. Now, we share our insights at the Lighthouse Farm Academy—a one-week course designed for food system professionals who are passionate about sustainability. I invite you to spend five days with us in #Finland this June and explore the Palopuro Symbiosis while diving into topics such as self-sufficiency in #food production, #circularity, food processing, and food-energy integration. Wageningen Academy The Global Network of Lighthouse Farms Ruralia Institute - University of Helsinki Wageningen University & Research Deloitte Sustainability Rogier Schulte Juha Helenius Lizzy Freed Kristine Valujeva Miel Hooijdonk Peetro Sakki