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Farmers' frustrations boil over in global protests

By Farms.com

Farm protests are surging globally, as agriculturalists express deep-seated concerns over policies they see as existential threats. These demonstrations, sparked by many issues from import dynamics to environmental regulations, have become widespread in major farming regions. 

The catalyst for much of the unrest was the EU's decision to waive duties on Ukrainian food exports, disrupting traditional trade patterns and affecting farmers' incomes. This led to significant protests in Poland, where farmers are particularly impacted. Similarly, environmental regulations and taxes on farming inputs have become contentious issues in countries like France and the Netherlands, leading to dramatic protests involving manure spraying and road blockages. 

In Spain, the focus is on trade deals and environmental regulations that disadvantage local farmers compared to their international counterparts. Meanwhile, in India, the protests center on demands for guaranteed crop prices, following a successful movement against new agricultural laws in 2021. 

These protests highlight a global agricultural sector at a crossroads, facing pressures from economic, environmental, and policy angles. While U.S. farmers share many of the same concerns, the approach in the U.S. has been more towards partnering with farmers and adopting voluntary, incentive-based policies, which may mitigate the likelihood of widespread protests. 

The situation underscores the critical balance needed between supporting farmers' economic viability and pursuing environmental and regulatory goals. As farmers make their voices heard, the hope is for policies that can sustain both the agricultural sector's future and the environmental and economic health of the globe.


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From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.