Since 2012 the networks Biobedrijfsnetwerken (Organic Farmers’ networks), CCBT (Coordination centre for applied research and extension for organic agriculture) and NOBL (Network for Organic food and farming Research) forms the Flemish Organic Research and Knowledge network (FORK-network). Drivers of the network are participatory research and knowledge exchange and dissemination of knowledge tailored to farmers.

Three networks, one mission

The three networks together with their partners make up the foundation of a research and knowledge network for organic food and farming in Flanders. In addition to their specific tasks, which are oriented towards various target groups (farmers, researchers, policy makers), these knowledge networks stress the importance of a coherent knowledge policy for the organic agriculture in Flanders. They tend to maximize the benefits of cooperation through the combination of complementary activities, multidisciplinary competencies and the avoidance of duplicate efforts.

Together with their stakeholders the networks state the following objectives:
• Increase support for and recognition of research on organic agriculture in Flanders
• Improve understanding of the research needs of the organic sector and address them
• Optimise the use of research and knowledge exchange capacities for the organic sector
• Disseminate and exchange research results and knowledge

Strength in unity

Continuous alignment between the networks allows the networks to bring different actors within the knowledge and research landscape in Flanders closer together and to create a closer collaboration between the actors.  The tasks of the networks are aligned and complement each other as much as possible so that each network can work in an efficient way. So the questions and problems in the Biobedrijfsnetwerken for example, are put on the research agenda of researchers and policy makers by CCBT and NOBL. CCBT and NOBL look for funding and expertise to develop research projects. The in research created knowledge returns to the farmers via the different information channels of CCBT, NOBL and Biobedrijfsnetwerken.

This cooperation resulted in 2014 in the publication of the ‘Research strategy for organic food and farming Flanders 2013-2017’. Based on its vision on sustainable and organic food production and consumption two general objectives are described:
• strengthening organic farming as a model of agro-ecological farming
• gaining expertise on the strengths of organic farming: soil fertility, biodiversity, environment, animal welfare, health,…

The FORK-network is willing to support research that is demand driven and implemented via a co-creative process. Different disciplines and expertise work together. Farmers and other chain actor are actively involved in the planning and the implementation of research.