A unique collaboration by RespectFarms for farmer Corné van Leeuwen, supported by EIP-Agri and the Province of Zuid-Holland, brings cultivated meat production to a working farm for the first time.
The Hague, 22 November 2025. In a global first, a working farm in Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands, is now equipped to produce cultivated meat thanks to RespectFarms collaborating with dairy farmer Corné van Leeuwen. With the cultivated meat units installed and operational in the coming weeks, the farm will show how farmers can make meat directly from cells and integrate cultivated meat production into existing farm operations. The project is supported by the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-Agri) and the Province of Zuid-Holland, generating new knowledge and opportunities for livestock farmers, policymakers, and the wider community.
Two Historic Firsts
This project marks two major world-first achievements:
1. The launch of the world’s first cultivated meat farm. Designed and implemented by RespectFarms, a farm-scale cultivated meat production unit is placed into Corné van Leeuwen’s existing dairy operation, creating a real-world test centre for learning how cultivated meat production can complement livestock farming.
2. The first farmer in the world to receive agricultural funding for cultivated meat production. Corné van Leeuwen has received support through EIP-Agri which connects farmers, researchers, and businesses to accelerate innovation in agriculture across Europe. This framework enabled the use of agricultural funds to test a completely new food technology on an active farm, as an additional business model.
RespectFarms: System Integrator
RespectFarms integrates cultivated meat and the knowledge of technology partners to develop a scalable, on-farm cultivated meat model. The startup supports a different scale, farm-integrated approach to cultivated meat production, rather than relying on massive, centralised facilities. This 'scale-out' model introduces advanced agritech to farms, supporting innovation, income diversification, and locally rooted food production. It contributes to the development of more resilient food systems and strengthens the economic foundations of rural communities.
"We’re building a model where livestock farmers remain at the centre of food production, not replaced by factories," says Ira van Eelen, Co-founder RespectFarms and Cellular Agriculture Netherlands. "This is an opportunity to make the protein transition fair, transparent, and rooted in rural communities."
"At RespectFarms we are pioneering a fast way to commercialize cultivated meat – decentralised and together with agricultural, tech and supply chain partners", says FlorentineZieglowski, Co-founder RespectFarms.
"RespectFarms boils down a world problem to farm size. And once it works, we scale this out to the world to increase impact”, says Ralf Becks, Co-founder RespectFarms.
Corné van Leeuwen: Farming and Innovation
The van Leeuwen farm continues the family tradition of agricultural innovation, from the first milking robot to artisanal cheese, and now the introduction of cultivated meat as an additional business model.
"As a farmer you have to look ahead, especially these days", says dairy farmer Corné van Leeuwen. “This is a chance to see whether a new income model can fit alongside what we already do. Making cultivated meat on the farm makes sense for many reasons. Not trying it would be a missed opportunity.”
The Role of EIP-Agri
EIP-Agri is an EU framework designed to accelerate agricultural innovation by connecting farmers, researchers, and businesses. It funds experimental projects that improve productivity, sustainability, and knowledge sharing. In this project, EIP-Agri has enabled the first-ever use of agricultural innovation funds for cultivated meat by a farmer on his farm.
Support from the Province of Zuid-Holland
The Province of Zuid-Holland contributed funds to support innovation, farmer engagement, and knowledge exchange.
“With RespectFarms, Zuid-Holland is setting a world first: the first cultivated meat farm in the world,” says Meindert Stolk, Regional Minister for Economy and Innovation. “This initiative demonstrates how innovation in agritech and biotech supports both our province and the Netherlands in the protein transition, while also creating economic opportunities. By developing technology and knowledge locally and exporting it internationally, we strengthen our position as a leader in sustainable food
production and strategic technology.”
Experience Centre, opening in Spring 2026
To foster public engagement and transparency, an Experience Centre will open at the farm in the Spring
of 2026, engaging with farmers, value chain stakeholders, and policy makers, plus welcoming local communities and educators to see cultivated meat production first hand.
“People need to see what’s really happening,” says Ira van Eelen, Co-founder RespectFarms and Celllular Agriculture Netherlands. “It’s good to have a place where science meets farmers, citizens, and
policymakers to learn, debate, and co-create the future of food production and farming."
About RespectFarms
RespectFarms pioneers the integration of cultivated meatproduction on farms, acting as a system integrator connecting agriculture, technology, and biotechnology. Based in the Netherlands, the company collaborates with livestock farmers, scientists, and food industry partners to design sustainable, decentralised models for the future of meat production.
F.l.t.r.: Mickael Penvern, Barbara Veldmaat, Ruud Out, Ralf Becks, Florentine Zieglowski, Ira van Eelen,
Corné van Leeuwen, Charilaos Korkontzelos, Kaitlyn Kiran.
“The consumption of the current amount of animal products is not sustainable within the planet's capacity. So, we need to find other ways to provide for our food. Within the Earth's capacity and with as little impact as possible on animals, humans, the climate and with a future for the (livestock)
farmer. Et voila: the cultivated meat farm”, says Ruud Zanders, Co-founder RespectFarms and Kipster.
What is Cultivated Meat?
Cultivated meat is produced by growing animal cells in a controlled environment, rather than raising and slaughtering animals. Small tissue samples, such as muscle cells, are placed in bioreactors with carefully managed nutrients, oxygen, and temperature, allowing them to grow into real meat. This method aims to produce meat with significantly lower social and environmental impact, using less land
and water, and generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional livestock farming.
Media Contact:
Ira van Eelen
info@respectfarms.com
+31(0)653460633
www.respectfarms.com
www.linkedin.com/company/respectfarms
Press pictures can be found here.