Farming for a Resilient Future
Meet the ReFarm Lighthouse Farms
ReFarm’s Lighthouse Farms are where knowledge meets practice. Located in Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, the three farms provide real-world environments for exploring how Nature-Based Solutions can strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable farming.
Each farm has its own conditions, production systems and challenges. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, ReFarm works with each farm to identify suitable solutions, develop individual implementation concepts and learn from their application in practice.
Together, the Lighthouse Farms demonstrate different pathways towards more resilient farming and turn practical experience into knowledge that can be shared with farmers, advisors and learners across Europe.
What is a Lighthouse Farm?
A Lighthouse Farm is a real working farm that serves as a practical learning and demonstration environment within ReFarm. Rather than testing Nature-Based Solutions under controlled or theoretical conditions, the Lighthouse Farms explore how they can be applied within the realities of everyday farming.
Each farm starts from a different point, with its own environmental conditions, production system, resources and challenges. Using the ReFarm Decision Support System, these individual circumstances are analysed to identify suitable Nature-Based Solutions and develop a farm-specific implementation concept.
The farms then put selected measures into practice, monitor their development and share the experiences gained along the way. In this way, they act as living examples of climate-resilient farming, connecting research with practice and generating knowledge that can inspire and support other farmers, advisors and learners.
Meet the ReFarm Lighthouse Farms
Three farms, three different contexts and three individual pathways towards greater resilience. Located in Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, the ReFarm Lighthouse Farms differ in size, production systems, environmental conditions and the challenges they face.
Explore the farms to discover their individual characteristics, focus areas and the Nature-Based Solutions they are putting into practice.
A Closer Look at Our Lighthouse Farms
Each Lighthouse Farm brings its own conditions, challenges and opportunities to ReFarm. From an established organic farm adapting to drought and erosion to a highly diversified farm system and a new farm being designed with resilience in mind, they demonstrate how different pathways can lead towards more climate-resilient agriculture.
Take a closer look at the farms, the challenges they face and the individual areas ReFarm is exploring with them.
EKOFARMA PROBIO
Czech Republic
EKOFARMA PROBIO is a 410-hectare organic farm combining crop and livestock production with demonstration and knowledge transfer. Located in a dry and erosion-prone region, the farm faces increasing challenges from prolonged drought, limited water availability and intense rainfall. Its ReFarm approach focuses on strengthening landscape resilience by improving water retention, reducing runoff and protecting the soil.
Farm at a Glance
South Moravia, Czech Republic
410 ha
Organic farming
Arable crops & livestock
Dry region, 500–600 mm precipitation/year
Landscape resilience, soil & water
ReFarm Focus
Agroforestry
An 8.78-hectare agroforestry system integrates trees and shrubs into arable land to improve microclimate, water retention and biodiversity.
Strip Cropping
Larger fields will be divided into functional crop strips to reduce erosion and runoff while increasing spatial diversity.
Keyline Design
Landscape planning based on terrain and natural water flows aims to improve infiltration and distribute water more effectively.
Farm at a Glance
Calden-Fürstenwald, Germany
60 ha
Diversified mixed farming
Arable crops, cattle & market gardening
Low upland region, ~750 mm precipitation/year
Whole-farm resilience & diversification
HOF TOLLE
Germany
Hof Tolle is a diversified farm combining arable farming and cattle with market gardening, direct marketing and educational activities. With different production branches and activities interacting within one farm system, its ReFarm approach explores how ecological measures, diversification and new opportunities can contribute to greater resilience across the farm.
ReFarm Focus
Wind Protection
A multifunctional shelterbelt protects the market garden while supporting biodiversity and additional fruit production.
Biochar
Field trials will explore how biochar can improve soil structure, water retention and resilience to drought.
Rainwater Harvesting
Expanded rainwater storage aims to improve irrigation security and make better use of available rainfall.
Biodiversity & Agrotourism
New habitat and greening measures are linked with agrotourism as an innovative way of financing long-term ecological improvements.
HUMLEBÆKGAARD
Denmark
Humlebækgaard is a newly established farm near Køge, where the production system and landscape are still being developed. Facing increasing risks from longer dry periods and heavier rainfall, the farm has the opportunity to integrate Nature-Based Solutions into its design from the outset, with a particular focus on water management and ecological, social and economic resilience.
Farm at a Glance
Near Køge, Denmark
22 ha
Developing mixed farm
Vegetables, agroforestry, forestry & livestock
Dry periods & heavy rainfall
Water management & landscape design
ReFarm Focus
No-Dig Market Garden
A 150 m² no-dig market garden supports soil health, water retention and early farm revenue.
Rainwater Collection
Water tanks will collect rainwater from farm buildings for agricultural use, reducing water demand and improving resilience during dry periods.
Landscape Water Restoration
Historical maps and landscape analysis are being used to explore restoration of a former watercourse or the creation of a retention lake.