Experimental Farm Bottelare

Proefhoeve Bottelare is a unique collaborative platform established by HOGENT and UGent, where education, research, and services in the field of plant production converge. The multidisciplinary research consortium AgroFoodNature coordinates HOGENT’s activities on this campus, while UGent’s activities are led by the Department of Plants and Crops within the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering. The proefhoeve offers a broad range of expertise: - Plant production: conducting field trials, laboratory and pot experiments, breeding programs, and industrial hemp cultivation. - Valorization of forage crops linked to animal production: silage trials, silage management, and analysis of feed samples. - Agroecology and ecosystem services: implementation and valorization of agroecological practices and ecosystem services at the field scale. Proefhoeve Bottelare stands as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and the integration of science and practice in modern agriculture.