The innovative Top 50 Farmers (T50F) initiative will debut in Europe this November to promote healthy soil via regenerative agricultural practices.

T50F was developed over the last two years in response to the urgent need for collective action in the agricultural sector and to empower farmers by speeding up the adoption of regenerative agriculture.

T50F wants to encourage the upcoming generation of agricultural innovators to adopt and expand regenerative farming methods globally as the farming sector deals with a generational problem.

“For millennia, communities have been fed and fueled by regenerative farmers that work in harmony with nature, rejuvenating the land, restoring biodiversity, nourishing healthy people, and building diverse ecosystems. They can heal the land against mounting threats of climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. With only 12% of farmers in the EU under 40, the future of agriculture is facing a generational crisis. We need to inspire the next generation to join the regenerative movement,” Cindie Christiansen, executive director of Foodprint Nordic and co-leader of T50F, mentioned.

Elevating Farmers’ Voices

T50F is committed to empowering farmers, promoting sustainable land management, paving the way for the regenerative transition, and showcasing farmers as the solution in November.

To inspire fresh talent and secure a future where regenerative agriculture flourishes, it will soon open nominations for its initial group, encouraging regenerative farmers around Europe to act as role models and catalysts in promoting the adoption and transition to regenerative agriculture.

It also provides peer-to-peer connections and avenues to financing and market opportunities. The nomination process will compile the experiences of farmers who are setting the standard both domestically and internationally.

“We’re building the movement from the voice of the farmer and offering a platform for collaboration and mentorship. “There is a lot of interest in regenerative agriculture; however, these conversations rarely involve the farmers doing the work on the ground,” Analisa Winther, co-leader of T50F and founder of the Future Food podcast, mentioned.

Top 50 Farmers’ Foundational Components

The Nomination & Recognition Program – Through an open nomination process, the T50F selection committee will choose 50 farmers practicing or transitioning to regenerative agriculture to serve as role models for the next generation in showcasing diverse approaches to land management. The selected farmers will not be ranked, as the focus is on celebrating collective impact rather than individual competition. The Top 50 cohorts will gain access to mentorship, peer-to-peer networking, and pathways to potential investment and market opportunities.

Top 50 Farmers Network – This platform connects farmers with a curated group of nonprofits, educational hubs, investors, and community organizations to offer practical solutions that help scale regenerative agricultural practices across Europe. It also serves as an open database for local resources.

Top 50 Farmers Mastermind Groups – These facilitated groups bring business leaders and other stakeholders together with the selected farmers, fostering knowledge sharing, brainstorming, and co-creation of scalable solutions that enhance regenerative agriculture.

Through collaborative action, T50F hopes to inspire and assist others, change the perception of farming, and promote a global shift towards regenerative agriculture by acknowledging the leadership and varied ways of European farmers at the front of the regenerative movement.

Recognition Program and Process

The selection criteria will focus on a farmer’s dedication to regenerative farming practices, contributions to local communities, and innovations in agricultural techniques. A panel of experts, including nonprofit founders, professors, farmers, scientists, and storytellers/filmmakers, will review the nominations to ensure that only the most deserving farmers are chosen. The 50 honorees, serving as role models in the regenerative movement, will be announced during a recognition ceremony in March 2025.

T50F encourages community members, industry professionals, and fellow farmers to submit nominations. The honorees will be featured in events and publications, providing them with a network to share their insights and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders. The awards will bring together key stakeholders from the farming industry, government, and media to celebrate these farmers’ contributions.

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

At its core, regenerative agriculture works with nature rather than against it. While there is no universally accepted definition, Top 50 Farmers views regenerative agriculture as a holistic farming approach that enhances the environment, the soil, plant and animal welfare, and communities.

Top 50 Farmers believes in the importance of a food system that doesn’t rely on synthetic and chemical inputs, but builds living soil—the foundation of regenerative agriculture—rich in microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms that aid in nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and boost water retention.

Regenerative practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, composting, and livestock integration to revitalize soil health. As a result, crops grow stronger and build resistance to pests, eliminating the need for pesticides and synthetic input.

By improving soil fertility and working in harmony with natural ecosystems, regenerative farming creates resilient, sustainable systems that address biodiversity and environmental challenges while producing nutrient-rich food for future generations.