Case study Skylark (Netherlands): D4.3

This case study focuses on the Skylark foundation: an organisation that unites arable farmers,
food processors and stakeholders in the supply chain to stimulate a joint effort to improve
sustainable arable farming. In total 388 arable farmers are member of the foundation, man-
aging over 45.000 ha (8,7%) of arable land in the Netherlands (Annual report 2015). An indi-
vidual sustainability plan is the core element used by Skylark members in realising and com-
municating sustainable arable farming. Unlike what the name seems to suggest, Skylark does
not specifically focus on the conservation of the skylark, but rather on sustainable land man-
agement. In summary, the Skylark approach is interesting as governance arrangement, and as
private initiative it is relevant in the search for innovative governance arrangements. Interest-
ing features of the approach are the focus on intrinsic motivation, tailor-made sustainability
plans, social learning among farmers, the involvement of food processing industry, and the
attempts to get recognition for the farmers’ sustainability efforts in CAP greening.