Can a ‘good farmer’ be nature-inclusive? Shifting cultural norms in farming in The Netherlands

In this article we investigate whether the Dutch policy concept of ‘nature-inclusive farming’, involving biodiversity-enhancing forms of agriculture, can become part of ‘good farming’ norms in Dutch farming culture. We interviewed 24 Dutch farmers individually as well as in focus groups in four case study regions in the Netherlands. Based on a qualitative analysis, we found confirmation of findings of studies elsewhere in terms of the presence of production-oriented conceptions of ‘the good farmer’ and ‘a good landscape’, which, in general, discourage biodiversity-friendly behaviour. Yet, we a... Mehr ...