After completing her studies in the agricultural sciences, Tia Hermans worked for several different departments within Wageningen University & Research. She focussed on cattle farming, plant research, agriculture, nature and spatial planning. Now, she coordinates policy-oriented research that Wageningen carries out for the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. ‘In The Hague, I feel that we are really able to contribute our expertise. It is crucial that the expertise of Wageningen is included in the world of governance. I am also very interested in connecting different living environments and fields of expertise, and in linking agriculture and nature. Where the different disciplines cause friction, beautiful things may result.’
Nature is under threat from the high levels of nitrogen in the Netherlands. Multiple sectors, amongst which agriculture, contribute to nitrogen emissions and must take measures. Wageningen experts in the fields of nature and agriculture have developed a roadmap to determine, per region, what actions are needed. This approach should…