9 Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond
Founded: 2017
Land owned: 11 farms, ~871 hectares
Scope: Nationwide (Denmark)
Activities:
– Buying and leasing farmland for organic use
– Supporting young farmers
– Protecting drinking water and biodiversity
– Promoting regenerative agriculture
Dansk Økojord was founded in 2017 as part of Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond, an initiative launched by the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and the Organic Association. The idea emerged from a shared concern: the increasing financial barriers for young farmers and the need to secure agricultural land for sustainable, organic use. Through collective ownership, the foundation set out to remove farmland from speculative markets and ensure long-term ecological stewardship.
The mission of Dansk Økojord is to acquire farmland and lease it to organic farmers under fair, long-term conditions. This approach supports generational renewal in farming, promotes biodiversity, and protects essential resources such as drinking water and soil. All properties are managed with a focus on organic and regenerative practices, and many include legal safeguards for nature and groundwater protection. By keeping the land in collective hands, Dansk Økojord aims to create a resilient, socially anchored agricultural system that serves both people and planet.
Founded as Dansk Økojord A/S, a public limited company under Danish law
Established in 2017 by the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and the Organic Association (the English name they use themselves is "Organic Denmark")
Operates as a subsidiary of Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond
Share capital: 41,999,000 DKK (1 A-share, 41,998 B-shares), appr. 900 citizens and companies are shareholders in an open end structure. (added)
New wording: Danmarks Økologiske Jordbrugsfond owns the A-share and controls the board and must approve changes to the company’s purpose
Legal purpose: acquire and lease land for organic farming, enhanced biodiversity, and water security
Dansk Økojord acquires farmland across Denmark and leases it under long-term agreements to organic farmers. Their work focuses on securing land for sustainable use and supporting a new generation of farmers.
Organic leasing model
They remove farmland from speculative markets and lease it to organic farmers, especially new and young entrants, under fair conditions.Nature conservation and biodiversity
All farms implement plans for nature care, including reforestation, habitat restoration, and regenerative practices to enhance biodiversity.Drinking water protection
Many properties lie in groundwater protection zones, where land is managed without pesticides and in partnership with local water utilities to secure clean drinking water.Climate action and soil health
They promote regenerative agriculture methods such as reduced tillage, cover crops, perennial rotations, and extended pasture grazing to build soil fertility and store carbon.Support for young farmers
By separating land ownership from farming operations, Dansk Økojord enables access to land without large capital investment, making it easier for young and transitioning farmers to start.Land use in sensitive zones
They develop models for multifunctional land use, for instance in areas critical for water protection, which enables organic food production to exist alongside forestry and nature.
Since its founding, Dansk Økojord has demonstrated that sustainable land management can go hand in hand with financial and ecological performance. As of 2023, the company owns 13 farms totaling approximately 900 hectares across Denmark, all managed organically and with strong attention to biodiversity, climate resilience, and water protection.
In 2023, Dansk Økojord reported an operating surplus of 3.1 million DKK on revenues of 4.7 million DKK. It reached a total asset value of 115 million DKK and equity of 41.4 million DKK. For the first time, a small dividend was paid out to shareholders, signaling financial maturity without compromising its ecological and social goals.
All tenant farmers under the Dansk Økojord model ended the year with a positive result. The organization continues to play a key role in enabling land access for new and transitioning organic farmers, while safeguarding land for multifunctional and non-speculative use.
