Project Description
Gillis Klompe’s arable farm on Schouwen-Duiveland is a textbook example of how climate adaptation and regenerative agriculture can go hand in hand. Situated in a region increasingly affected by drought and salinization, Gillis and his business partner Frans van der Linde cultivate a mix of seed potatoes, onions, sugar beets, cereals, and pulses. But growing conditions are getting tougher. Rising sea levels and prolonged dry spells threaten crop yields and soil health.
In response, Gillis has set out on a long-term transition towards regenerative farming. His vision: to fully integrate regenerative principles within 10 years and reduce dependence on external inputs and unpredictable weather. Steps already taken include retiring water-intensive crops like sprouts, planting green manures to build organic matter, and experimenting with level-controlled drainage to retain freshwater and push back saline intrusion.
The farm is part of the Living Lab Schouwen-Duiveland, a regional initiative testing innovative water management solutions. Gillis is trialing deeper drainage systems and weir-controlled ditches to better manage water flows throughout the year.
But the challenges go beyond agronomy. Gillis is also working on the future of the farm itself—seeking fair and sustainable ways to pass it on to the next generation. For him, carbon farming plays a crucial role in this transformation. By improving soil structure and organic matter content, Gillis is not only storing more CO₂ in his fields but also making his farm more resilient to the climate extremes ahead.
This project shows how climate challenges can trigger positive change—linking water management, soil health, and carbon sequestration into one regenerative transition story.
About the Remover
Gillis Klompe is an entrepreneurial arable farmer with a clear regenerative mission. Based in Dreischor on the Dutch island of Schouwen-Duiveland, he grows a diverse mix of crops including seed potatoes, onions, sugar beets, and cereals—always with an eye on soil health and resilience.
Faced with growing challenges like drought and salinization, Gillis is shifting his farm towards regenerative agriculture. He’s phasing out water-intensive crops, experimenting with green manures to build organic matter, and implementing smart water management solutions like level-controlled drainage and freshwater weirs.
But Gillis’s role goes far beyond day-to-day farming. He’s an active participant in regional knowledge projects like the Living Lab Schouwen-Duiveland, sharing insights with fellow farmers and exploring systemic solutions to the island’s water scarcity.
With a large network and a contagious green ambition, Gillis is determined to make his farm both climate-resilient and future-proof. Carbon farming is a key part of that journey—helping to store CO₂, improve soil structure, and build long-term value for the next generation.
For Gillis, every step counts towards a regenerative future—for his land, his business, and the wider farming community.
About this project
Gillis expanded his fields with regenerative farming practices with another 29.7 hectares in 2024.