Professionalizing multifunctional agriculture in the Netherlands: the role and functioning of an innovation network of multifunctional farmers

In this paper we describe the role and the functioning of the innovation network ‘Waardewerken’. This network with 20 pioneers in multifunctional agriculture had a role in the development of the multifunctional sector in the Netherlands during the period 2004 – 2011. All 20 entrepreneurs had a flourishing agricultural enterprise. Besides their agricultural production, all farms organised other activities and together they covered the most common activities in Dutch multifunctional agriculture like nature conservation, farm shops, green care, education, recreation, childcare. In this network entrepreneurs and researchers closely worked together in order to stimulate the growth and the professionalization of the multifunctional agriculture sector. The network operated on several levels: influencing policy (locally, regional and national) in order to establish support, compose and implement a research and action agenda and inspiring other agricultural entrepreneurs with good examples and new knowledge. The organisation of the network, the different roles of the researchers and entrepreneurs involved, the impact of the network and the lessons learned will be discussed.