From Degraded Land to a Thriving Cosmos

Before she entered the farming world, Ebba-Maria Olson worked as an entrepreneur for sustainable business initiatives, which laid an important foundation for her farm operation. “I learned how to combine vision with operational execution, which has been invaluable as I developed Mossagården into a holistic, multi-faceted enterprise” she explains.

Ebba-Maria was only 21 years old when she began farming at Mossagården, nestled among 60 hectares of majestic oaks and beautiful wetlands in Sweden’s most Southern region, Skåne. Her courage to adopt innovative farming models that lead to rewarding outcomes was evident early on. In 1998, Mossagården pioneered their local produce delivery service, a novelty in Sweden back in those days. Ten years later, in 2008, their courage for food system innovation led to another courageous step: the introduction of hemp as a major crop on the farm.

Hemp For The Future

Mossagårdens had been farmed conventionally for decades. When Ebba-Maria’s family took over, the soils were compacted, insect life was low, and the whole ecosystem showed little ecological resilience. Ebba-Maria’s passion for entrepreneurship and living systems that thrive led her to invite an unlikely strategic ally to be the main crop of the farm: hemp.

Hemp grows exceptionally well on Southern Sweden’s sandy soils, using its strong roots to reach far down, which makes them resilient in the relatively dry conditions. “Hemp is one of the most bullied plants in the world,” Ebba-Maria laughs, “But it’s actually a fantastic plant to regenerate soils, sequester carbon and create resilient farmscapes.”

Building up the resilience of the land has been the foundational practice of Mossagården. From the early days, the soil was nourished with diverse practices including cover crops and low tillage. The meadows were brought back to greater health through rotational grazing with heritage sheep and goats. A food forest and hedgerows were installed to encourage more life to root in the place.

Ebba-Maria is convinced that increased eco-resilience links directly to community resilience. “If the soil, the fungi and the microbes are alive, we’re alive!” she explains simply.

Building an Ecosystem

Hemp is incredibly versatile, harboring thousands of potential uses. Many of which have been trialled by Ebba-Maria and her team to develop unique products and services. The versatility of the hemp plant is a perfect mirror for Mossagården’s business model, which is built around five interconnected pillars that together create a circular, resilient and adaptable system.

“The Mossagården Model is designed to thrive in times of balance and in times of crisis serving as an example of how regenerative agriculture, cultural engagement and circular food systems can work together.” Ebba-Maria explains before walking through the five aspects.

The first pillar centers on the farm's wild landscapes offering experiences that invite visitors to explore its meadows, wetlands, and forests while fostering a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the natural environment.

The second pillar brings together creativity, education, and hospitality by encouraging guests to connect with nature through artistic experiences, seasonal events, the hemp café, and opportunities for curiosity and discovery.

The third pillar focuses on developing and sharing innovative hemp-based products that demonstrate the crop's remarkable versatility. From culinary products such as oils, seeds, protein, and hemp ice cream to sustainable building materials, this pillar showcases hemp as a solution for both people and the planet.

The fourth pillar reflects the farm's commitment to regenerative agriculture and long-term environmental stewardship. Through farming practices that restore ecosystems while producing healthy food, the farm serves as a living example of farming for the future. This knowledge extends beyond the farm through workshops, conferences, and educational initiatives that inspire and support other farmers.

The fifth pillar is the organic farm shop, which provides year-round access to fresh, local, and organic food through both physical and online stores. It strengthens the connection between the farm and the surrounding community while making regenerative products more accessible.

Together, these five pillars form an integrated system where agriculture, ecology, education, food, and community reinforce one another. Their interconnected nature allows the farm to continually innovate while creating environmental, social, and economic value.

In the future, Ebba-Maria sees Mossagården being led by five holistic intrapreneurs practicing self-leadership. From them, future teams and leaders will be built organically creating a culture where leaders build people who in turn build the organization. “This will ensure long-term sustainability, resilience, and continuous innovation while empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to the farm’s mission.” Ebba-Maria explains.

A Way of Farming That Restores Ecosystems

Ebba-Maria’s vision is to scale all parts of the Mossagården Model and to also keep educating the general public around the positive effects of regenerative farming, hemp innovation, circular food systems and nature-based wellbeing.

She is excited to be a part of the Top 50 Farmers as a vehicle to connect with others who are undertaking a similar journey. “I am excited to connect with like-minded farmers to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in regenerative agriculture,” she shares. “Engaging with other farmers both locally and internationally has been key to developing a practical, evidence-based approach to regenerative farming that also supports economic resilience,” Ebba-Maria says.

Ebba-Maria stands out as a courageous innovator in the European farming space, pioneering an approach that honors the future through regenerative, climate-smart, and holistic practices while putting community at the center of everything she does. Just like hemp has a plethora of uses, Ebba-Maria shows how farms can have versatility in how they serve the community, nature, and the economy.

Written by Top 50 Farmers and Svenja Nette