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OBLA
In 2013, Ronald van Marlen (Timeli) participated in the international Organic World Leadership Academy of IFOAM, guided by IFOAM trainer Konrad Hauptfleisch. There was no specific leadership program for the Dutch organic sector at the time. Ronald and Konrad have therefore joined forces to develop the OBLA specifically for the Dutch organic sector.
In 5 afternoons, OBLA participants are guided in deepening knowledge about the history of organic agriculture and reflecting on the future of organic agriculture. Each course offers 50% knowledge transfer and 50% interactive group work in smaller groups.
The aim of the course is to reflect on and develop leadership in the organic movement. The organic sector needs people and collectives who can represent and promote organic values and principles. People who can challenge the persistent myths spread about organic and do so with leadership and authority.
Want to know more? Contact Josefien@nanabio.eu or check out this website of Timeli.
Teddy Tomato Coalition
collaborations with other Organic stakeholders
In 2023 and 2024, Nana Bio joined a collective of Dutch organic organizations to raise awareness about the European Commission’s proposed deregulation of GMO legislation. These changes would weaken transparency and control measures, and remove mandatory GMO labeling — putting the integrity of GMO-free and organic food at serious risk. As a committed advocate for GMO-free agriculture, Nana Bio supported petitions, organized public demonstrations at the Dutch Parliament as well as the European Parliament, started informational campaigns, developed flyers and distributed letters to ensure that the right to GMO-free food remains protected. Lastly, Nana Bio offered its stand during the Biobeurs in Den Bosch for Extinction Rebellion and the Teddy Tomato Coalition.
Check out this website for more information.
COLORING BOOK
In 2022 and 2023, NaNa Bio B.V. has been doing a project regarding Regenerative Agriculture. Check out this page ( refer to Regenerative Agriculture Study Project) for more information on this project. In light of that project, the impact of framing, marketing and visual attractive presentation of regenerative agriculture came up. For NaNa Bio this was reason to reflect on the framing and visual attraction of the organic sector. Why wasn’t organic more proud of its eco-friendly way of farming that has been feeding the world for a long time?
In response to this question, NaNa Bio asked illustrator Katinka Feijs to visually give expression to the importance organic agriculture. In a process of co-creation, Katinka developed a coloring book for children and adults alike. In this coloring book the main principles of organic are explained: the principles of health, care, fairness and ecology. The importance of leaving the planet in a better place is central to the work that is done by organic farmers and companies. Securing health of the soil, people and the planet for next generations. That is what has been visualized in the Organic Coloring Book.
Want to know more? Contact Josefien@nanabio.eu or get in touch with the illustrator Katinka Feijs by emailing to contact@katinkafeijs.com.
The Crisis is Now!
Project – collaborations with INOFO
“The crisis is Now!”!is a collaboration with our friends from INOFO – Global (the worldwide Inter-Continental Network of Organic Farmer Organisations). In this video-project, we want to raise awareness about the climate crisis and its impact on organic farmers worldwide. That is why, in this project:
- we challenge dominant agricultural power structures;
- amplify the voices of organic farmers;
- and promote systemic change toward a more just and sustainable food system.
At NaNa Bio, we don’t want you to buy from us or sell to us only. We want you to join us. We strive to work together with people that share our values, because we want to do business in a different way and create impact together. That is why we gladly work together with stakeholders like INOFO that work on a strong Organic sector all over the world.
Nana Food Academy
The NaNa Food Academy is an initiative from NaNa Bio with the aim to bring people together to informally learn about and discuss issues that are urgent and relevant within and for the Organic sector. The NaNaFood Academy sessions are online events that start with a brief presentation by people with more in-depth expertise regarding the central topic of that session. The presentations are followed up by room(s) for discussion, to talk about the central topic and reflect on this together with other people from the Organic sector.
Babyfood new regulations video
GMO-deregulation plans of the European Commission
Want to learn more? Get in touch with Josefien@nanabio.eu
Organic solidarity With Palestine
At Nana Bio, we are deeply committed to the core principles of the organic movement: Health, Ecology, Fairness, and Care (IFOAM). These values guide not only sustainable agriculture and food production, but also reflect a broader commitment to human rights, justice, ecological responsibility, and care for both present and future generations. Through this project, we explore a critical and urgent question: how do the acts of genocide and ecocide in Palestine relate to and violate these foundational principles? We believe that the systemic oppression of people and destruction of ecosystems through military occupation directly conflicts with the ethical values at the heart of the organic sector. With this initiative, we aim to raise awareness and foster dialogue within our sector about the intersection of justice, ecology, and solidarity. The visuals and infographic are made by Katinka Feijs. The paper is developed with support from Just Differently and Beyond Boundary.
Want to get your actual stickers yourself? Contact us by emailing Josefien@nanabio.eu
System-change Kinetic Art Project
“Turning the Old, Shaping the New” is a kinetic art installation that tangibly visualizes the urgent need for system change. It acts as both metaphor and mechanism—supporting a broader conversation about the transition from an extractive, outdated model to one that centers life, adaptability, and community.
The first part of the installation is dominated by a massive, heavy structure—an embodiment of the old world system. Built on fossil dependence, extraction, and centralized control, this machinery is slow to turn, hard to stop, and impossible to adapt. It represents a model that prioritizes profit over people, and efficiency over empathy—where community needs are silenced beneath the grinding gears of an industrial Moloch.
In vivid contrast, the second part of the installation is light, dynamic, and decentralized. The new system celebrates diversity, collaboration, and cultural richness—a living system shaped by the many, not the few. The individual parts are inspired by many aspects of nature. There is a path of Venus orbiting Earth, circular visualisations of dolphin calls, mycelium growth, intricate forms of deep sea radiolaria… This system thrives on collaboration and the strength of difference, offering a vision for a future where adaptability and diversity take the lead. Diversity here isn’t a challenge—it’s the engine of resilience.
Together, the two systems form a kinetic dialogue—illustrating the tension between past and future, control and emergence, centralisation and diversity. As it moves, the installation is urging us to move toward a system built by and for all.
Meet & Greet Vandana Shiva
On June 2nd, 2024, Nana Bio proudly co-organized and sponsored the Meet & Greet with Vandana Shiva in collaboration with Odin Foodcoop. As the main sponsor, we helped bring together over 300 participants from across the Netherlands for a powerful day of dialogue, connection, and inspiration. The day opened with a breakfast gathering for 12 representatives from various social movements, including Extinction Rebellion, Aralez, and Control Alt Ecology. In the afternoon, we hosted a public meet-up that focused on the deeper systemic issues behind industrial agriculture, such as colonialism, social and gender inequality, climate injustice, and power concentration in the food chain. Dr. Vandana Shiva spoke passionately about food sovereignty and the urgent need to resist the monopolization of our food systems. The program was enriched by moving artistic contributions from Rubaina Bhikhie, Anima Jhagroe-Ruissen, and Shivant Jhagroe. This event reflected Nana Bio’s mission to connect the organic movement with broader struggles for justice, ecology, and systemic change.
Regenerative Agriculture Study Project
Since 2022, Ronald van Marlen (General Director of NaNa Bio B.V.) and Tosca Peschier have been studying the attractiveness of the new corporate green-washing fairytale of regenerative agriculture. In this light, an article was published, presentations were given and infographic are developed. See below for this infographic. Want to learn more? Get in touch with Ronald@nanabio.eu or toscapeschier@protonmail.com
