When: Thursday 26 February, 12:30–13:30
Where: Online via MS Teams
How healthy is our soil, and how does soil health affect food quality and, ultimately, our own health? What is regenerative agriculture, and is it always better for nature and people? How can we rethink what we eat every day, where it comes from, and transition towards more sustainable, seasonal, and local food systems? And what narratives do we need to create demand for nature-inclusive food?
These questions are explored by Dr. Emilia Hannula (Leiden University, CML) and Aphra van den Berg (Province of South Holland) during our first Regenerative Dialogue.
The speakers
Dr. Emilia Hannula is an associate professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) at Leiden University. Emilia is a soil ecologist, passionate about all soil creatures and especially soil fungi. Her work explores how healthy soils support plants, ecosystems, and ultimately human wellbeing. She studies how soil life responds to disturbance and how soil systems can be restored. Emilia has led and contributed to several major European and national research projects. She currently leads the NWO-KIC Soil2Guts project linking soil health to human gut health and holds a VIDI grant. Emilia co-leads the Future food systems program, and leads the soil ecology groupat CML.
Seventy percent of soils in the Netherlands are highly degraded, while specialists report that gut health is becoming alarmingly poor."
- Dr. Emilia Hannula
Aphra van den Berg is an anthropologist and systemic constellator with 20 years of experience in cultural change and transitions. Currently she leads Groene Cirkel De Tuin van Holland (The Garden of Holland) which is part of The Province of South Holland. De Tuin van Holland brings together flavor, health, sustainability, history, and innovation. Together with chefs, doctors, farmers, and other chain players, we are committed to a healthy, sustainable kitchen for everyone. Because one thing has become clear: structural solutions require the involvement of the entire chain – from the farmer to the kitchen.
The transition to nature-inclusive food systems requires a shift in mindsets and culture. New storylines and strong relationships between all involved actors are essential."
- Aphra van den Berg
Recording
Explore the topic further
Below some inspiring resources and initiatives shared by the speakers to dive deeper into the topics of regenerative agriculture and food systems:
De Tuin van Holland website www.detuinvanholland.nl
De Tuin van Holland - Guide to purchasing nature-inclusive catering - A practical guide developed by De Tuin van Holland on how organizations can source food in ways that support biodiversity and local ecosystems. De Tuin van Holland - Natuurinclusief inkopen (in Dutch)
Ingredients for a Green Future: Transition to a Sustainable Food System (NWO, 2025) - A magazine exploring the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient food system. Magazine_Transitie naar een duurzaamvoedselsysteem (1).pdf (in Dutch)
🌱Would you like to get in touch with the speakers? Reach out to us, and we’ll gladly connect you. LDE_CfS@cml.leidenuniv.nl
💡Curious about our Community Regenerative Futures? Visit our webpage to explore what we’re building together.