About CDLT

Building a sustainable agricultural system together

The current agricultural system is under strain. Farmers carry the responsibility for food, landscape and living environment, yet they operate in lopsided chains, with unsustainable margins and erratic policy. As the pressure mounts, there is no prospect of improvement.

CDLT believes farmers deserve better: ecologically, economically and socially. Sustainability without a viable livelihood will not last, which is why we are building an agricultural system that actually works.

CDLT is the bridge between science and practice. We translate practice-driven research into usable knowledge and projects, and we develop tools and products that farmers can put to work directly on the farm. In this way, we inspire sustainable choices that leave farmers better off ecologically, economically and socially.

We are working towards a new sector in which science, farmers, chain partners and policymakers join forces. For agriculture with a future. For the farmer, the soil and society as a whole.

History Centre of Sustainable Agriculture Transition

2020

In 2020, Professor Gjalt de Jong and Jouke de Vries, then Dean of Campus Fryslân and now President of the Executive Board, realised that the Frisian landscape of their youth had disappeared. The birds were gone, and the grassland had become monotonous. Farming had to change.

An idea emerged for a large-scale programme: as a “new” sustainable agricultural university, the University of Groningen could play an important role in the transition in the northern Netherlands. Not everyone was convinced right away, but he persevered. He founded the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Transition (CDLT) and developed the plan for a large-scale programme towards sustainable agriculture.

Thanks to the commitment of many dedicated partners, this resulted in the ReGeNL transition programme, in which the CDLT plays an active role. It is no coincidence that the CDLT falls under Campus Fryslân: this faculty focuses specifically on local societal issues.

2024

In September 2024, Gjalt found in Ingrid van Huizen a programme manager with her feet firmly on the ground (literally “in the clay”): she had worked in the agricultural sector for a long time and was herself active as a farmer. Her arrival built the bridge between university and practice. With multimillion-euro subsidies from the Ministry of LVVN (Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature) and the National Growth Fund, the ReGeNL programme got under way in September 2024 together with the other partners.

2026

There are now 16 colleagues working in the ReGeNL programme, on research, products and tools that make farmers better off.

Brochure CDLT

Curious about what the Center for Sustainable Agriculture Transition stands for and how we are working toward future-proof agriculture? Our brochure provides a concise overview of our vision, values, and activities. Discover what CDLT can do for you.

View the Brochure

Annual overview 2025

The CDLT annual review shows what has been achieved in 2025: from collaborations and practical guidance to research, education, and visible impact. View the annual review and read about what we have achieved together.

Read the annual review 2025