Our last day in the Netherlands began at the world’s first ever floating farm, located in Rotterdam, just a short tram ride from the Centraal Station. This proximity to the city center enhances its sustainability and accessibility. Upon our arrival, we attended a presentation that detailed the farm’s origin and mission. The idea for the Floating Farm was sparked by Hurricane Sandy in New York City, where the farm’s founders witnessed grocery stores running out of food within two days. This event inspired them to design a farm resilient to flooding—a floating farm. It was amazing to see how a crisis-inspired notion became a successful, cutting-edge farm that serves as an inspiration to people all around the world.
The Floating Farm initially began as an experimental idea. Now, about thirty cows are kept there now, and the products they yield— yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, and many flavors of milk including ginger and raspberry—are supplied to nearby consumers and companies. The farm takes great satisfaction in its circularity, obtaining its raw materials from the same city it supplies. By reducing the amount of transportation, this improves consumer health and the environment. Grocery store food scraps, beer broth from nearby breweries, and grass from Rotterdam’s biggest soccer team are fed to the cows. Although the cows were kept on the floating farm due to the rainy weather today, we discovered that they are allowed to wander freely on land during more pleasant conditions. In addition to tasting fresh milk and other products, we enjoyed viewing baby cows being fed too.
Our group later reassembled to explore RDM, or research, design, and manufacturing. This once-shipyard has been transformed into a center for innovation. The building is split into two sections: a huge warehouse rented out to start-up firms is located on one side, and the other side is owned by a local university and housing numerous workshops. Students at the institution can use the labs for construction, materials science, aquaculture, automobile engineering, and more. Shared resources like power, water, and space are advantageous to the start-ups, as they promote a cooperative atmosphere.
Students and start-up enterprises are encouraged to engage with each other at RDM, which frequently results in collaborations. One start-up that we observed 3D prints replications of coral reefs using natural materials that genuine coral can grow on, such as sand from certain beaches. This was only one of the roughly fifteen creative firms that RDM used; each had a distinct, long-term idea that alines itself with RDM’s values.
We wrapped off our two week trip with a goodbye meal because this was our last day together. I have gained a great deal of knowledge, had a great time, and met some truly wonderful people on this trip. I appreciated being a part of this journey so much.
