The SIMONE cross-visit in the Netherlands brought together nearly fifty farmers, advisors and experts each day for two immersive days of field-based learning. Hosted at the Van den Borne Campus and co-organised with Inagro, the visit offered an excellent opportunity to explore how data driven innovation, on-farm experimentation and agro ecological practices come together in real cropping systems.
What unfolded was not just a study visit, but a dynamic exchange across borders - a place where farmers compared experiences, partners shared insights from their Living Labs, and technology was tested directly in the field.
A Living Lab in Practice: Inside the Van den Borne Campus
The visit began with a practical tour of the Van den Borne Campus, guided by Jacob van den Borne. Participants explored the infrastructure, technology and philosophy behind this advanced precision farm.
From soil scans and yield maps to variable applications and UAV sensing, the campus demonstrated how data collection and interpretation are woven into daily farm management. The group gained insight into how Van den Borne integrates drones, sensors, satellite imagery and field observations to monitor soil conditions & crop growth, detect variability and support decision-making.
This context set the stage for understanding why the campus is a key partner in SIMONE: it embodies the combination of innovation, experimentation and practical feasibility that the project aims to strengthen across the NWE region.