The farm ditch blooms
HHNK, together with the agricultural collectives ANV Hollands Noorden and Water, Land & Dijken, started the project "Blooming farm ditch" in 2022. Over the past two years, dozens of farmers have monitored a large number of ditch sections for ecological water quality.
In 2022, a total of 26 participants monitored 76 ditches. It turns out that ditches in peatlands are doing especially well, and clay areas also have vibrant ditches. This year, 29 farmers Map a total of 92 ditches. These results will be shared with participants in October. Key results will also be available on the website at the end of this month: https://www.hhnk.nl/bloeiende-boerensloot.
Wet bank
The "Blooming Farm Ditch" project focuses on Map the plants present in and under water and on the wet bank. It also looks at the physical characteristics of the ditch (width, depth, presence of dredge), land use and management and maintenance.
Water Quality
Good water quality is important for crops to grow and also as drinking water for livestock. Ditches with good water quality are therefore of great value for agriculture and also for biodiversity and for residents and recreationists. HHNK, together with farmers and others, is committed to ecological management and maintenance and a natural layout of ditches. Through the project 'Bloeiende boerensloot' the participants gain insight into the ecological quality of their own ditches. Together with the participants we also look at possibilities to influence the water quality through agricultural water management or design.