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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ page! If your question isn’t answered here, please feel free to contact us at hello@top50farmers.org 

About

  • Top 50 Farmers is a farmer-first accelerator program designed to empower, connect, and elevate regenerative farmers across Europe.

     

    Each year, we open applications to find 50 more role models to join the community, creating a blueprint for what regenerative farming can look like.

     

    The farmers gain access to a 1-year program and alumni network with opportunities to grow their network, mindset, business, and brand.

  • Top 50 Farmers envisions a world where regenerative farming is the norm and farmers are recognized for their important work.

  • We believe that by highlighting diverse regenerative farming role models, we create a blueprint for what regeneration can look like all over Europe. Every year, we find 50 more farmers to add to the community, connecting islands of regeneration and opening up new pathways for growth that support the whole movement. 

  • At its core, regenerative farming works with nature rather than against it.

     

    While there is no universally accepted definition, Top 50 Farmers views regenerative agriculture as a holistic farming approach that enhances the environment, soil, plant and animal welfare, and communities.

     

    Top 50 Farmers believes in the importance of a food system that doesn’t rely on synthetic or chemical inputs, but instead builds living soil, the foundation of regenerative agriculture, rich in microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms that aid in nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and boost water retention.

     

    Regenerative management includes practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, composting, and livestock integration to revitalize soil health. As a result, crops grow stronger and develop resistance to pests, reducing the need for chemical and synthetic inputs.

     

    By improving soil fertility and working in harmony with natural ecosystems, regenerative farming creates resilient, sustainable systems that enhance biodiversity, address environmental challenges, and produce nutrient-rich food for future generations.

  • Top 50 Farmers was launched in Copenhagen, Denmark, in April 2024 under the nonprofit organisation Foodprint Nordic, which since 2021 has worked to redirect funds from the hospitality sector to regenerative farming projects.


    While rooted in gastronomy and built on experience from the Nordic regenerative space, Top 50 Farmers emerged from a broader collective conversation among changemakers at a summit hosted by Astanor.


    At the centre of that conversation was a simple question: What would it look like if farmers were recognized and celebrated in the same way as chefs?


    Top 50 Farmers is an initiative shaped from that question and developed by Cindie Christiansen, Executive Director of Foodprint Nordic, together with Analisa Winther. Meet the full team here. 

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    Top 50 Farmers is supported by Avina Stiftung, DOEN Foundation, and Nest Family Office as enabling funders for the period April 2024 to April 2026. The initiative was initially supported by seed funding from Astanor to develop and establish the concept.

  • Top 50 Farmers is funded by European family offices, foundations, and private individuals aligned with our core values and our commitment to a farmer-first approach in all decisions.


    For transparency, current funders are continuously updated and available on the Top 50 Farmers website.

Application Process

  • Each year, Top 50 Farmers select and welcome 50 regenerative farmers who are pioneering regenerative agriculture in their communities across Europe.


    Applications can be submitted directly by farmers or farmers can be nominated by others.


    To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

    • The farm is located in the EU, Switzerland, the EEA, or the UK

    • Regenerative practices have been applied for at least one year

    • The farm is registered as a business

    • Crops spend the majority of their lifecycle in soil

     

    Farmers who are transitioning to regenerative management are also encouraged to apply, provided there is a clear vision and timeline for phasing out agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers. This will be explored as part of the application process.

  • People connect with people. We know it takes many hands to run a farm, but we ask that one representative in a leadership position from the farm complete the application. This ensures clear storytelling and communication between the farm and Top 50 Farmers. 


    The chosen representative serves as the farm’s main point of contact and will be featured in Top 50 Farmers’ official communications and materials. At the same time, everyone on the team is welcome to join the Top 50 Farmers Program. 

  • Absolutely! Repeat applications are very welcome. Despite receiving high scores, many strong applications cannot be selected in a certain year due to limited space and our commitment to maintaining country balance and representation.

     

    While you’ll need to complete the full application again (as some questions have changed), we value persistence and progress. You can indicate that you’ve applied before in the application form. 

  • Anyone can nominate a regenerative farmer including community members, industry professionals, and fellow farmers. The process is designed to be inclusive and to encourage a diverse range of stakeholders to recognize farmers committed to regenerative agriculture. You can nominate a farmer here.

     

    Farmers do not have to be nominated to complete the application. 

  • ​Great question! We created a checklist to support you in creating your application. It includes frequently asked questions, an overview of the eligibility criteria as well as photo and video inspiration from prior cohorts for you to be inspired by. Review the application checklist here.

  • If you’re selected, you’ll become part of the Top 50 Farmers Accelerator Program, a community platform and year-long journey. 

    Top 50 Farmers offers three foundational pillars to empower farmers work and connect them with an ecosystem of opportunity:
     

    Amplify Your Brand

    Allow your story to inspire the next generation. Your regenerative journey will be shared across our website, social channels, and with the media. This visibility opens doors as financiers, consumers, and peers learn about your work.

    Connect & Learn With Peers

     

    Build deep connections with the Top 50 Farmers in your cohort and alumni network. Learn from inspiring speakers on topics such as mental health, branding, access to markets, and financing and exchange knowledge with like-minded peers.

     

    Grow Your Work 
     

    Gain access to new pathways for business growth, financing, and markets. Connect to an ecosystem of opportunities that will support your farm in building resilience while contributing to the growth of the regenerative movement and attracting the next generation.

  • Top 50 Farmers is not a ranking or about being “the best,” but a collective effort to grow regenerative farming across Europe. Each year 50 new farmers join the program. This means your network expands with every cohort, adding diversity and representation of how regeneration can look like.

Selection Process

  • The application opens in November. Sign up for the Top 50 Farmers newsletter here to receive an email announcing the date and details when its announced. Due to capacity, the number of applications is limited to 150 per year. This ensures that each application can be reviewed with care and attention.

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    Once the application window closes, the Selection Committee reviews all eligible submissions. Selected questions from the application are scored and applicants with the highest scores move forward in the process.

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    To ensure a balanced and diverse cohort of role models from across Europe, additional factors such as geographic representation are also considered. This includes making strategic decisions such as applying country caps and supporting representation from underrepresented regions.

    All applicants will receive a response in early March, followed by the virtual announcement ceremony in mid-March.

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    More details about the selection process can be found here.

  • For a country to be represented, we must receive applications from that country. We then balance the yearly cohort based on country, crop type, farm size, background, age, business model, stage of the regenerative journey, as well as the personal story of how they got into farming. We believe the regenerative movement grows fastest when diverse role models are empowered to show that regeneration is possible all across Europe.

  • The Selection Committee is a voluntary group composed of farmers, nonprofit founders, professors, scientists, and other professionals and changemakers committed to farmers and regenerative agriculture. Their role is to review applications and put forward 50 farmers to serve as role models for the next cohort.

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    The composition of the committee may vary from year to year. Current members can be found on the website here.

  • Response to the application questions are exclusively used to create opportunities that support and empower farmers as well as the broader regenerative farming community. The raw data provided in the application is accessible only to the Selection Committee and the Top 50 Farmers team.

     

    Top 50 Farmers may share aggregated insights from the applications with partners provided that doing so supports the overall mission and vision of Top 50 Farmers. Any shared data will be anonymized and never linked to a specific applicant.

     

    Personal details such as names and photos will be used for the public profiles and stories of the selected farmers.

  • All applicants will be notified of the status of their application in early March.


    Selected farmers are asked to keep this information confidential until the virtual Announcement Ceremony where the cohort is revealed to the public. A coordinated media release will accompany the announcement.


    The Announcement Ceremony takes place in mid-March each year.
    If not selected, applications are encouraged to reapply the following year. The intention is to continue growing the collective and strengthening the resources available to the wider farming community.

  • We limit the program to 50 farmers each year to provide meaningful recognition, personalized support, and strong community connections.

Accelerator Program

  • Top 50 Farmers includes a one-year Recognition Program custom designed for each cohort based on the information in their applications. While the journey is a collective effort, Top 50 Farmers focuses on creating value by:
     

    Amplifying Your Brand

    Allow your story to inspire the next generation. Your regenerative journey will be shared across our website, social channels, and with the media. This visibility opens doors as financiers, consumers, and peers learn about your work.

    Connecting & Learning With Peers

     

    Build deep connections with theTop 50 Farmers in your cohort and alumni network. Learn from inspiring speakers on topics such as mental health, branding, access to markets, and financing and exchange knowledge with like-minded peers.

     

    Growing Your Work 
     

    Gain access to new pathways for business growth, financing, and markets. Connect to an ecosystem of opportunities that will support your farm in building resilience while contributing to the growth of the regenerative movement and attracting the next generation.

  • The Top 50 Farmers’ program is tailored to each cohort. We start the year by hosting listening sessions identifying what is needed to support each farmer’s work and building an ecosystem of support from there. 

     

    We then enter a growing season with monthly virtual sessions on different themes of core interest to the group. From financing to branding, funding to mental health, there is something for everyone. Through online and in-person events, you will build relationships and learn from other farmers in your group, Top 50 Farmers alumni, and experts.

     

    At the end of the program, you harvest the relationships, knowledge, and visibility you have gained and enter the Giving Season, becoming a part of the alumni community and passing the torch on to the next fifty farmers.


    You can read more about the program here. We also recommend you review our Alignment Statement here.

  • The Top 50 Farmers Accelerator Program begins immediately after the virtual Announcement Ceremony held in mid-March. At the Ceremony, the latest cohort is announced in front of the media, general public, family, and friends. This is followed by an onboarding session exclusively for the cohort where they have the chance to meet one another and learn about next steps.

  • Yes! Participation in Top 50 Farmers is completely free for the selected farmers. The program runs for one year, starting immediately after the Announcement Ceremony. After completing the program, farmers join the Top 50 Farmers alumni network.

  • There are no mandatory requirements. However, farmers who engage regularly - by joining monthly sessions and saying yes to relevant opportunities - tend to gain the most value from the program.


    The program is designed to fit into the reality of running a farm. Participation is flexible and farmers choose how and when to engage based on their capacity and priorities.


    At the same time, Top 50 Farmers is built as a space for exchange, visibility, and connection. Those who take part actively often find new collaborations, access to opportunities, and a strong peer network across Europe supporting both their farm and their role in shaping the future of agriculture. Read Top 50 Farmers testimonials here. 

Growing Diversity Each Year

Each year, 50 new farmers join the program. This means your network expands with every cohort, adding diversity of experience, enterprises, and geographies.

FAQ

  • Top 50 Farmers (T50F) is an acceleration platform and community hub designed to scale regenerative farming. The initiative launches in Europe in November 2024 and will expand its efforts globally.

  • Top 50 Farmers aspires towards a future where regenerative farming practices are the universal standard in agriculture.

     

    The primary goal of Top 50 Farmers is to inspire a new generation of farmers and accelerate the adoption of regenerative farming practices that build healthy soil, create resilient food systems, and support surrounding communities. Top 50 Farmers aims to create pathways for connection and access to capital, market opportunities, and peer networks to foster collaboration and scale regenerative farming across regions.

  • At its core, regenerative farming works with nature rather than against it. While there is no universally-accepted definition, Top 50 Farmers views regenerative agriculture as a holistic farming approach that enhances the environment, the soil, plant and animal welfare, and communities.

     

    Top 50 Farmers believes in the importance of a food system that doesn’t rely on synthetic and chemical inputs, but builds living soil—the foundation of regenerative agriculture—rich in microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms that aid in nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and boost water retention.

     

    Regenerative practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, composting, and livestock integration to revitalize soil health. As a result, crops grow stronger and build resistance to pests, eliminating the need for pesticides and synthetic input. 

     

    By improving soil fertility and working in harmony with natural ecosystems, regenerative farming creates resilient, sustainable systems that address biodiversity and environmental challenges while producing nutrient-rich food for future generations.

     

    Read more here.

  • Launched initially in Europe, Top 50 Farmers is led by Foodprint Nordic, a nonprofit organization that enables restaurants, bars, canteens and hotels to invest 1% of profits in regenerative farming projects in the Nordic countries. Top 50 Farmers is co-founded by Cindie Christiansen, executive director of Foodprint Nordic, and Analisa Winther, whose work centres on connecting actors in the food space and building ecosystems. Analisa is also the founder and host of the Future Food podcast.

     

    Top 50 Farmers is supported by an advisory board, including industry leaders Philippe Birker, Birgit Cameron, Eric Archambeau, and Leslie Kapin, who guides the the project. 

  • Top 50 Farmers is backed by a consortium of European foundations that have spent decades working across the value chain to support the regenerative transition. Top 50 Famers has received seed funding from Astanor and is financed by the DOEN Foundation, the AVINA Foundation, and the Nest Foundation.

    • The Open Nomination: Top 50 Farmers will be built on the voices and experiences of regenerative farmers. Through its annual open nomination process, the organization will gather information to select and champion new farmer role models. These farmers will gain access to resources that could open potential new market and finance opportunities.

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    • The T50F Recognition Program: The Top 50 Farmers Recognition Program is dedicated to celebrating the work and stewardship of regenerative farmers. Through the nomination process, 50 farmers who are practicing or transitioning to regenerative agriculture will be selected to serve as role models for the next generation. The program provides these farmers with mentorships, peer-to-peer networking, pathways of access to market opportunities, and capital. The selected farmers will be celebrated for their collective impact at the yearly Recognition Ceremony.

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    • Top 50 Farmers Network: The T50F platform connects farmers with nonprofits, educational hubs, investors, and community organizations to provide practical resources and support for scaling regenerative agricultural practices.

  • Starting on November 11, 2024, Top 50 Farmers will open nominations across Europe for a one-month period. Farmers are selected based on their commitment to regenerative and sustainable farming practices, contributions to their local communities, and innovations in agricultural techniques.

     

    Nominations are reviewed by a panel of experts from diverse fields, including nonprofit leaders, professors, farmers, scientists, and storytellers, ensuring the selection process reflects transparency, excellence, and integrity.

  • The selection committee is composed of farmers, nonprofit founders, professors, scientists, and experts committed to the regenerative transition. Their role is to review nominations and ensure that 50 candidates are recognized for their leadership in advancing regenerative farming practices. The names of the committee members can be found on the Top 50 Farmers website (not posted yet).

  • Farmers need to have been applying regenerative practices for at least one year. T50F acknowledges the transition time for farmers wishing to begin the regenerative journey. For Farms in transition, the farmers must have a strong commitment, clear vision and a timeline  for phasing out conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

  • Anyone can nominate a regenerative farmer, including community members, industry professionals, and fellow farmers. Farmers can also nominate themselves by filling out an application directly. The process is inclusive, encouraging a diverse range of stakeholders to recommend farmers committed to regenerative agriculture.

  • Farmers who meet the following criteria can apply for Top 50 Farmers: 

    • You have been applying regenerative practices for a minimum of 1 year 

    • Your farm is in transition, but you have a strong commitment, clear vision, strategy and timeline for phasing out chemicals, such as conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers 

    • Your farm is registered as a business. 

    • Your farm is located in the EU, Switzerland, EEA or the UK. 

    • Farmers using greenhouse-growing seedings that will spend the majority of life soil.

    • You have been applying regenerative practices for less than 1 year 

    • You dont have a commitment, vision,  strategy and timeline for phasing out chemicals, such as conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers 

    • You are using soilless practices such as aquaponics, hydroponics and container growing where crops are never integrated into a field.

    • AMPLIFY YOUR STORY AND BRAND: As one of the Top 50 Farmers, your regenerative journey will be showcased on the Top Farmers’ website and social channels. This visibility opens doors to new opportunities as financiers, consumers, and peers learn about your work and its impact. Sharing your story also inspires the next generation by highlighting diverse role models, fostering resilience, and drawing new talent to the fields. Moreover, it signals to policymakers that this movement is thriving.
       

    • CONNECT & LEARN FROM PEERS: Farmers are always listening and learning from the land. Each season presents unique challenges that demand resourcefulness and collaboration. As part of the Top 50 Farmers, you’ll join a community of passionate European regenerative farmers who share your values and commitment to nurturing the land, providing healthy food, and building sustainable businesses. Through virtual and in-person networking, you can forge connections, find inspiration, share insights, and receive support as you grow.

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    • ACCESS TO MARKETS & FINANCING: Farmers possess valuable ideas and firsthand experience essential for advancing the regenerative movement. At Top 50 Farmers, we aim to learn from you to shape our platform and create new opportunities. As we develop the Top 50 Farmer Recognition Program, you’ll gain access to forums for sharing feedback with decision-makers, along with mentorships, roundtables, and learning sessions to support your efforts. Our goal is to make regenerative agriculture the industry standard, paving the way for new markets and financing opportunities that benefit you and the community of regenerative farmers.

  • Selected farmers will be notified in January and February 2025. These 50 farmers will be featured on the Top 50 Farmers website and in a series of events and publications, offering a platform to share their insights and inspire future agricultural leaders. Their recognition culminates in a virtual recognition ceremony where they will be formally recognized for their contributions to the regenerative movement.

    • The recognition ceremony is scheduled for February 2025. This first recognition ceremony will be virtual and will include the announcement, keynote speakers, and recognition of the 50 selected farmers.

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    • For the second cohort, in 2026, T50F will bring the 50 selected farmers together with industry stakeholders, government officials, leaders in the space, and the media to celebrate their achievements at a physical event.

  • Top 50 Farmers is about celebrating the collective efforts of farmers leading the regenerative transition. Therefore, Top 50 is not a ranking but a recognition of commitment and progress.

  • Information from the application questions is used exclusively to create opportunities that support and empower farmers and the regenerative farming space. The raw data provided in the application is accessible only to the Selection Committee and the Top 50 Farmers team. 

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    Top 50 Farmers can share aggregated insights on regenerative practices and experiences with research institutions and trusted organizations within the T50F network. This shared data will be anonymized and not linked to any specific applicant.

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    Personal details such as names, photos, and experiences will only be shared for the 50 selected farmers. Financial and well-being information will remain private for the collective gathering of information and will not be made public.

  • ​​Top 50 Farmers is launching first in Europe with plans to expand efforts and work in other regions and countries over time.

  • For general questions: hello@top50farmers.org

     

    For questions about the nomination and the application: nomination@top50farmers.org

     

    For media inquiries: media@top50farmers.org

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