The Stichting Proefboerderijen Noordelijke Akkerbouw, or SPNA for short, is the research institute for arable farming on the Northern clay.

SPNA has two experimental farms. At the test farm ‘Kollumerwaard’ in Munnekezijl is focused on practical research in the field of (seed) potatoes and sugar beets. Both conventional and organic cultivation takes place. The second farm ‘Ebelsheerd’ is located in Nieuw Beerta. The research at this farm focuses on grains, rapeseed and sugar beets. The laboratory is located in Nieuw Beerta as well. In this laboratory, additional tests are conducted to support the research. In addition, interested parties can use the services offered by the laboratory: diagnostics and quality determinations of grains and rapeseed, among other things.

SPNA is one of the stakeholders of the Agrofoodcluster.