On June 14, as part of the Friends of the Countryside General Assembly, members explored four distinctive tours around Stockholm, each highlighting the interplay between heritage conservation, innovative farming practices, and sustainability. Landowners showcased how they creatively adapt their Estates to modern challenges, offering inspiration for the future of sustainable land management.
Torsåker Farm and Axfoundation
The visit to Torsåker Farm, operated by Axfoundation near Upplands Väsby, offered a glimpse into one of Sweden’s most dynamic hubs for applied research in sustainable food systems. Participants discovered a working farm that serves as a living laboratory for testing regenerative practices and circular food models. Innovations included the development of perennial wheat varieties suited for Nordic climates, bio-based fertilisers made from reeds and wool, and an aquaculture model using fish fed with insects raised on food waste. At the heart of the Estate, the renovated 18th-century barn, Ladugården, hosts test kitchens, a bakery, and packaging labs where sustainable food products are developed and scaled. Axfoundation, an independent non-profit organisation, integrates science, entrepreneurship, and farming to create real-world solutions with measurable environmental and social impact.
Steninge Slottsby
The tour then moved to Steninge Slottsby, a residential development blending historical heritage with contemporary planning. Located beside the Baroque Steninge Palace, the project comprises eleven neighbourhoods with over 750 homes designed in harmony with the landscape and inspired by traditional Swedish architecture. The restored stone barn, Stenladan, now houses shops and a restaurant, acting as a vibrant centre for community life. The Estate illustrates how private developments can enhance cultural heritage, preserve natural beauty, and build resilient communities. Participants discussed planning models that protect green areas while integrating new housing and infrastructure, making Steninge a noteworthy example of rural-urban balance.
Drottningholm Palace
At Drottningholm Palace, participants explored one of Sweden’s most iconic royal properties. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace grounds offered a journey through centuries of European landscape architecture, from formal Baroque symmetry to the English romantic style. The Drottningholm Court Theatre, a fully preserved 18th-century venue still using original stage machinery, and the Chinese Pavilion, a Rococo retreat filled with East Asian artefacts, demonstrated the estate’s rich cultural layers. While the palace remains a royal residence, its grounds are publicly accessible and well-managed, offering insights into heritage preservation as a public good. The site reflected how state-owned properties can contribute to education, tourism, and national identity.
Erstavik and Sandemar Castle
Erstavik Estate, encompassing over 2,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land, remains privately owned under a unique exemption to the abolished fideicommissum model in Sweden. Located near the Nackareservatet nature reserve, it exemplifies multi-functional land use with productive forestry, recreational access, and conservation objectives. Certified under the PEFC standard, Erstavik’s forest operations include pine, spruce, and deciduous species, with an emphasis on biodiversity and carbon storage. Participants engaged in discussions on balancing economic output with long-term ecological resilience.
Nearby Sandemar Castle, located in the Stockholm Archipelago, offered a contrasting perspective. Its 17th-century manor and adjoining nature reserve form part of the Natura 2000 network, supporting habitats ranging from wetlands and calcareous fens to coastal meadows. Traditional grazing and mowing practices are maintained to protect rare flora and bird species, including the white-tailed eagle and the marsh helleborine. The estate demonstrates how historic properties can serve both cultural and ecological functions, contributing directly to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Nyborg, Ekolsund, and Signhildsberg
At Nyborgs Gård in Upplands-Bro, participants were introduced to a family-owned estate combining conventional farming with nature-based products and short supply chains. The farm grows cereals and oilseeds, raises Highland cattle and Gotland sheep, and sells products like rapeseed oil and honey directly through its farm shop. This model fosters rural employment, maintains open landscapes, and connects consumers with the land.
Ekolsund Castle, once a royal residence of Gustav Vasa and later Gustav III, has been restored to reflect its Baroque origins, complete with historical gardens and waterworks. The Estate also includes a heritage inn and hosts cultural events. The site offered a discussion on the social value of heritage properties, their role in tourism, and their potential as educational spaces for the broader public.
The final stop at Signhildsberg focused on the Estate’s commitment to ecological transition. With organic farming, crop diversification, and significant investment in solar energy, the Estate integrates sustainability across its operations. Solar panels now power much of the farm’s infrastructure, supporting both environmental and financial resilience. Rooted in Norse legend and medieval history, Signhildsberg bridges the past with forward-looking land stewardship. Its archaeological significance, including Viking Age remains, was also highlighted.
Linking Estate Practices to EU Policy
Each Estate visit offered tangible examples of how landowners contribute to EU objectives including the Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy, and the Common Agricultural Policy. These properties, while diverse in function and history, shared a common thread: commitment to managing land responsibly, with attention to future generations and Europe’s shared heritage.
Friends of the Countryside 28th General Assembly in Stockholm: Defending Landowners’ Vital Role
On June 13, the Friends of the Countryside (FCS) held their 28th General Assembly in Stockholm, welcoming over 100 members from across Europe. Hosted by Swedish Board members Caroline NORDENFALK BIELKE, Niels TRESCHOW and George BERGENGREN, the event reaffirmed the commitment of Europe’s rural landowners to sustainability, biodiversity, and active participation in shaping EU policy.
FCS President Seger VAN VOORST TOT VOORST opened the Assembly by emphasising the indispensable role of landowners as custodians of the European countryside. He praised the ongoing efforts of the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), highlighting its significant achievements in influencing EU policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy), the EU Forest Monitoring Law, and the Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
Thierry DE L’ESCAILLE, Executive President of ELO, provided an insightful update on recent policy developments, drawing attention to the challenges posed by upcoming EU budget allocations. With a still significant share of future EU budgets designated for COVID recovery repayments from 2028 onwards, Thierry DE L’ESCAILLE raised concerns about the potential impact on agricultural funding. He called on policymakers to recognise agriculture as a strategic priority, underscoring the necessity of secure, long-term funding for rural communities and sustainable practices.
Jurgen TACK, Secretary General of ELO, expanded on these concerns by outlining strategic policy initiatives. He emphasised the urgent need for simpler regulatory frameworks that facilitate, rather than hinder, innovation and sustainable practices in farming. Jurgen TACK advocated strongly for increased access to new agricultural technologies, stressing that streamlined approval processes and better incentives would significantly enhance competitiveness, resilience, and environmental sustainability across Europe’s agricultural sector.
The General Assembly welcomed Martin MIKKELSEN from Denmark as a new Board member, alongside the celebrated return of longstanding member Henriette STRASOLDO from Germany. This continued growth, with eighty new members joining in the past year alone, reflects the relevance and vitality of the organisation.
Biodiversity and sustainable land management remained central topics, with considerable support voiced for the Wildlife Estates Network. Members were encouraged to actively participate in implementing the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy 2030, highlighting the critical role of private landowners in protecting and enhancing Europe’s natural heritage.
Participants also eagerly anticipated the 2026 General Assembly, set to take place in Cáceres, Spain, a region noted for its sustainable agricultural heritage and cultural richness.
The evening gala celebrated innovative achievements in sustainability with the FAMIGRO and Belleuropa awards. ZukunftMoor received recognition for its pioneering work in peatland restoration in Germany, while Ericsberg Castle in Sweden was honoured for harmoniously integrating cultural heritage with sustainability in forestry, agriculture, renewable energy, and wildlife management.
Closing the Assembly, President Seger VAN VOORST TOT VOORST called for continued collaboration, urging landowners to champion their crucial role proactively within the EU landscape.