The farmer's ditch is blooming
In 2022, HHNK, together with the agricultural collectives ANV Hollands Noorden and Water, Land & Dijken, launched the 'Bloeiende boerensloot' (Flourishing farm ditch) project. Over the past two years, dozens of farmers have monitored a large number of ditch sections for ecological water quality.
In 2022, 26 participants monitored a total of 76 ditches. It appears that ditches in peat areas are doing particularly well and that lively ditches can also be found in clay areas. This year, 29 farmers mapped a total of 92 ditches. These results will be shared with the participants in October. The most important results will also be available on the website at the end of this month: https://www.hhnk.nl/bloeiende-boerensloot.
Wet bank
The 'Bloeiende boerensloot' (Flourishing Farm Ditch) project focuses on mapping the plants present in and under the water and on the wet banks. In addition, the physical characteristics of the ditch (width, depth, presence of silt), land use, management, and maintenance are also examined.
Water quality
Good water quality is important for growing crops and also as drinking water for livestock. Ditches with good water quality are therefore of great value to agriculture, as well as to biodiversity and to residents and recreational users. HHNK works with farmers and others to promote ecological management and maintenance and the natural design of ditches. The 'Bloeiende boerensloot' (Flourishing farm ditch) project gives participants insight into the ecological quality of their own ditches. Together with the participants, we also look at ways to influence water quality through agricultural water management or design.