On Friday May 9th, Mycelia van Hoop had another farming day at the historical farm T’Gagel (the Gail) in Lochem. It is the fourth farm in Lenteland, a network of farms that produces food in harmony with nature.
After some tea and coffee, we began the day’s tasks with working hands-on and experienced the innerworkings of this regenerative farm. The work included de-weeding, planting, removing beetle eggs, and helping prepare for the farm’s open day on the Sunday.
We learned the farm spans 45 hectares, where 27 hectares is currently being used for agriculture. T’Gagel focuses on sustainable food production and building long-term soil health by working with natural fertility. Their methods include using compost and applying molasses to nourish the living soil. Typically, they only apply compost early in the season; this year they have put molasses on the soil, add crop residues to their compost, and may potentially add compost later on, if needed.
In addition to food crops, the farmers also work on tree-growing boxes. They cultivate seedlings for oak, walnut and fruit trees where they then sell them to nurseries for extra income. The farm also has its own shop where they sell some of their produce along with other artisanal products like granola, where money goes back toward sustaining the farm. They also have a small campsite for visitors which also contributes to its financial viability.
They are also having discussions about starting wetland production on some of the land as another way to support soil fertility and the surrounding ecosystem, as they are near the damp Kienveen area. They are also exploring the idea of communal land use, where there would be small private gardens for everyone. However, this brings practical challenges, particularly around the camping area where plans are underway to build a separate toilet facility to support this vision.
The farms offers valuable insights into regenerative agriculture, community collaboration, and adaptive land stewardship. By opening up the farm to volunteers, and the public, T’Gagel demonstrates how farming can go beyond food production to become a hub for biodiversity, connection, and learning. As part of the Lenteland network,  the farm contributes to actively expand knowledge on regenerative agriculture; showing others the possibility of how humans can reconnect with nature and give back to living ecosystems through the way we grow our food, nurturing both land and community.
