Finnish and Latvian Farmers Explored Regenerative Farming Practices in Estonia
Representatives of demonstration farms participating in the ReGen AGRI pilot programme from Latvia and Finland visited Estonia on 12–14 October 2026 to learn about regenerative farming practices and opportunities for their application in practice.
On the first, rainy day of the study visit, participants visited Aru Põllumajanduse OÜ, which manages approximately 4,200 hectares of arable land. The company’s manager, Jakob Lindam, and Transition Manager Stefan Gernert introduced the farm’s activities and management approach. The company’s strategy is to collect data on crop development throughout the growing season and analyse this information to support practical decision-making, particularly regarding fertilisation. Special attention is paid to the optimal timing of foliar feeding and the appropriate nutrient composition of fertilisers. Plant sap and leaf tissue analyses are carried out approximately five times during the growing season.
The second day of the study visit began with a visit to Viru Seeme and Uuetoa Talu OÜ, a participating farm in the ReGen AGRI pilot programme, where the group met the company’s manager, Ott Läänemets. The farm joined the programme to gain new knowledge about regenerative farming practices and, in particular, to assess their potential economic benefits. The company already has extensive experience in growing cover crops. Agronomist Vardo Lund and advisor Jaan Ahlberg also presented a field trial launched as part of the programme.
The group then visited Mäemõisa Farm, where, under the guidance of farm manager Sander Hiire, participants assessed soil conditions in the field and gained practical insights into the use of Johnson–Su compost. The day continued at Puutsa Farm, managed by Airi Külvet, where participants learned more about rotational grazing and winter grazing practices.
On the final day of the study visit, participants visited Rannu Seeme, located near Tartu, where crop production focuses on carefully planned crop rotations, winter crops and reduced tillage practices. Altogether, three farms from Tartu County participate in the ReGen AGRI pilot programme: Rannu Seeme OÜ, ATK Linavästrik OÜ and Soone Farm OÜ. Their representatives, Tõnis Ajaots, Jaak Täkker and Madis Tamm, together with advisors Olivier de Schaetzen and Stefan Gernert, introduced the field trials established within the programme.
Several common principles emerged across all the farms visited: keeping the soil covered with living plants for as much of the year as possible, ensuring the right timing of fertilisation, and optimising fertiliser application rates based on soil and plant analysis results.
