Top 50 Farmers exists to strengthen the conditions around farmers who are shaping the future of farming. We discover and bring greater visibility to inspiring farmers across Europe. Each year, 50 farmers are selected to join our growing community, built on relationships, shared learning and exchange. We create meaningful connections between farmers and with people, organisations and opportunities across and beyond agriculture - strengthening what becomes possible for individual farmers and collectively.

The idea for Top 50 Farmers was born in the Danish countryside. In 2022, Astanor brought together chefs, entrepreneurs, investors, farmers and people working across the food system for a two-day summit in Denmark. During a collaborative breakfast session, an idea began to take shape. Just as chefs have built visibility, influence and new opportunities around their work, we believed farmers - and the people behind our food - deserved the same recognition and cultural momentum. Top 50 Farmers was launched by Foodprint Nordic in 2024, co-founded by Cindie Christiansen and Analisa Winther, with initial seed funding from Astanor. What began as an idea to make inspiring farmers more visible has since grown into a pan-European community, bringing 50 new farmers together each year. Today, we work to strengthen the conditions around these farmers - building visibility, relationships, knowledge and connections that can open new opportunities and strengthen what becomes possible, individually and collectively.

Farmers First Farmers are at the centre of everything we do. We listen, learn and build around their realities, ambitions and experience - always respecting their time, knowledge and independence. Relationships We believe meaningful change grows through strong relationships. We create spaces for trust, honest exchange and connections that continue beyond individual programmes, gatherings or opportunities. Integrity Trust is fundamental to our work. We act with care, transparency and responsibility in how we work with farmers, partners, information and opportunities. Openness We stay curious and open to different perspectives, experiences and ways of farming. We connect across countries, generations, farming systems and sectors because new possibilities often emerge when different worlds meet. Collective Strength Individual farmers are already creating change on their farms and in their communities. By bringing them together, we strengthen their collective voice, knowledge and ability to influence what farming can become.

Regenerative farming is not a single method or fixed set of practices. It is a way of farming that works with nature to restore and strengthen the ecological, economic and social foundations of farming. Across different landscapes, climates and farming systems, this can look very different. What matters to us is the direction: healthier soils, greater biodiversity, resilient farm businesses and farming that contributes positively to the communities and landscapes around it - without dependency on synthetic chemicals and fertilisers. We recognise that getting there can take time. Some farmers are already farming without synthetic chemicals and fertilisers, while others are in transition with a clear ambition and pathway to eliminate their use. Top 50 Farmers does not prescribe a single way to farm. We bring together farmers who are demonstrating, experimenting with and advancing different ways of farming that regenerate rather than deplete.