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Communities of Practice

A CoP represents a group of Advisors and Coaches who meet regularly over the course of two years to improve and share their knowledge of advisory methods and skills in support of climate smart practices

Filter CoPs by country and thematic areas

Greece

Crop Management Strategies

Coach: Katerina Sachsamanoglou

Thematic Areas

Crops management

We are a team of advisors dedicated to acquiring and promoting innovative climate-smart management and cultivation practices. Our goal is to effectively transfer this knowledge to producers, empowering them with the skills and motivation needed to implement these practices successfully.

1. Train advisors on oriented crop management practices;
2. Enhance advisors’ communication skills to effectively engage and motivate farmers toward adopting climate-smart crop management techniques;
3. Encourage demonstration activities, farm visits, boost farmers extroversion as inspiration to others;
4. Provide access to advisors on essential tools and data resources (such as soil maps);
5. Raise awareness among both farmers and advisors to foster a shared commitment towards sustainable agricultural practices

France

A Transversal Consulting Approach for Agroforestry Development

Coach: Claire Faivet

Thematic Areas

Agroforestry and relation to landscape

These are the two main objectives of the Community of Practice: Upskill Advisors in the Community of Practice – Work transversally within a network of agricultural advisors to develop knowledge and skills in agroforestry, and: Disseminate Knowledge on Agroforestry – Create a guide and a resource library for agricultural advisors who are not specialists in agroforestry.

1. To explore the diversity of agroforestry systems;
2. To create a guide for agricultural advisors who are not specialists in agroforestry so that they are able to help farmers adopt agroforestry;
3. To acquire knowledge and skills on agroforestry;
4. To create a resource library on agroforestry for agricultural advisors;
5. To initiate a transversal work/exchange network on agroforestry within the “Chamber of Agriculture network”

Slovenia

Usage of Drones in Agriculture

Coach: Jernej Černe

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Soil health and biodiversity
Energy management
Water management
Crops management

We are a young group of advisors, who is interested in learning, exploring the use of drone technology in agriculture. We will focus on what the Slovenian market offer, what are the possibilities for using drones in planting cover crops, using drones for biotic pest control and fertilizing crops.

1. Research of the domestic and foreign market
2. Review of legislation
3. Possibility of usage of drones in agriculture for planting cover crops, fertilization
4. Research of possible end-users
5. Research of technology
6. Pros and cons of the technology

Lithuania

Climate Change

Coach: Eugenijus Lukoševičius

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Soil health and biodiversity

Activities of the CoP are focused on implementation of innovative climate mitigation and adaptation solutions, extending knowledge of advisors of GHG emissions and tools for calculation of emissions, and strengthening of a role of advisors to become CSAs. CoP activities include group meetings and discussions, two training activities, participation in a demo event, visiting international agricultural exhibition.

1. Objectives of the CoP are to provide agricultural advisors with detailed knowledge of practices and methods used in agriculture to reduce climate change;
2. To provide technical and practical knowledge of GHG emissions and tools for calculation of GHG emissions;
3. To strengthen role of advisors enabling them to provide consultations on innovative climate mitigation and adaptation solutions.

Poland

Soil and Crop Management for Efficient Nutrient and Water Management

Coach: Dawid Skotnicki

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Soil health and biodiversity
Water management

The task of the CoP will be to exchange knowledge and experience in order to find solutions that can be implemented on cooperating farms to improve the efficiency of agricultural production, particularly in the area of improving soil fertility, its water retention capacity and the efficient use of nutrients by crops.

1. Understanding the potential of sustainable farming practices suitable for the region.
2. Exchange of knowledge and experience within the team and with cooperating farmers.
3. Developing solutions that can be implemented on cooperating farms.
4. Developing solutions that can be implemented on collaborating farms.
5. Improving the efficiency of crop production while reducing carbon emissions.

Italy

The Innovative Irrigation Aspects on Fruit and Vegetable Sector

Coach: Marco Giacomoni

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Water management

Water management at both national and regional level is a highly topical and important issue due to the now known climatic trends caused by climate change in this years in Italy. This cop want to explore new irrigation method and technologies to help ours fruit and vegetable farmers to manage in the better mode climate changes risks, also with water storage in the basins and other interesting aspects to adapt to high temperature and less rain.

1. Find solutions to help the progress of the new irrigation methods and technologies;
2. Help to management the water available throught water basins, considering problem also linked with low rain events, but more intensive;
3. Find new/old rootstock solutions for fruit plant with high resistance to the high temperature.

Belgium

From Audit on a Dairy Farm Towards Effective Implementation of a Mitigating or Adaptation measures

Coach: Tom Schaeken

Thematic Areas

Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions
Forage production
Rewarding mechanisms
Water management
Manure storage and spreading
Grassland management
Herd management
Biogas production
Energy management

The Belgian CSA colleagues participating in this COP would like to improve their advisory skills to motivate Belgian dairy and livestock farmers to apply feasible and appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures from the CFD-AMP Library on the farm. Together they look for an approach that provides the advisor with guidance in 4 different steps.

1. Improve the CSA’s storytelling about the climate in relation to farmers;
2. Improve the CSA’s skills to tackle farmers’ resistance about climate and climate change topics and climate smart farming practices;
3. Improve the CSA’s skills in composing AMPs and guidancs that motivate the farmer to talk about and implement fitting climate smart farming practices;
4. Test the approach outlined by the members of the Belgian COP “Smart CFAs”

Sweden

Sustainable Values for the Farm Scale Biogas Production

Coach: Karin Ahlberg Eliasson

Thematic Areas

Biogas production

Biogas production with mainly focus on farm based biogas production. Biogas production from agricultural waste streams contribute to mainly three important values for the society; production of fossil free energy, reduction of GHG emissions and production of nutrient rich digestate used for fertilization. In the CoP we will develop knowledge in both more technical questions in the biogas production as well as microbial and chemical understanding of the anaerobic degradation process.

1. Use the members’ common knowledge strengthen the advising sector in Sweden;
2. Incorporate skills like manure management, environmental permits, economy and forage production to the biogas development at farm scale level in Sweden

United Kingdom

Livestock Advisors Delivering Across England and Wales

Coach: John Langley-Randall

Thematic Areas

Grassland management
Herd management
Forage production
Crops management
Soil health and biodiversity
Manure storage and spreading

The main activities will focus on expert led discussion groups for the relevant thematic areas as well as farm visits highlighting examples where climate smart measures have been implemented.

1. Across the 2 years explore suitable options for grassland management within England and Wales livestock sector, drawing upon case studies and expert knowledge, to develop the understanding of climate smart options for advisors;
2. Develop the CoPs understanding of appropriate measures for a range of scales of operation across the livestock sector in England and Wales.

Latvia

Integrated Farm Advisory Based on Soil Health

Coach: Dace Zarina

Thematic Areas

Grassland management
Herd management
Forage production
Soil health and biodiversity
Manure storage and spreading
Crops management

The CoP aims to explore the increase of advisory capacity to provide holistic, customer-centred advice. Our CoP, consisting of 7 consultants from the Latvian Rural Advisory office and 2 practical farmers, has chosen to work on the real case. We will come together on the farm that is representative of a typical Latvian mid-size farm to work on practical advice.

1. Establishing high-quality, client-oriented advisory services;
2. Bring together the expertise of several specialists to understand the farmer’s needs in depth;
3. Promoting understanding of strategic development decisions;
4. Raising awareness that healthy soils are the foundation of any agricultural enterprise and are the basis of nutrient-rich food.

Finland

Development of Advisory Expertise and Tools Related to the Soil Growth Condition

Coach: Henna Latvala

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity
Water management

Strengthening the expertise of advisors related to the assessment and improvement of the soil growth condition by participating and organizing trainings related to assessment and advisory tools. Improving the expertise and capabilities of advisors for farm-specific advice in order to promote the introduction of climate smart agricultural practices by testing tools in practical advisory work and sharing information in a practical way, for example at CFD demo events.

1. Learning to use the most important tools related to determining the growth condition of the soil and to interpret the results in a practical and farm-specific way;
2. Strengthening the expertise of advisors in relation to water management. Learning the most important methods and measures related to water management;
3. Improving the knowledge of different soils. Finding material to support counselling;
4. Learning to use tools and applications related to compaction assessment, such as Terramino;
5. Implementation of knowledge through practical examples (e.g. in CFD-demonstrations) in a cost-effective manner. Strengthening the expertise of advisors.

United Kingdom

Circular Climate Smart Farming Network

Coach: Arran Redman

Thematic Areas

Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions
Soil health and biodiversity
Grassland management
Herd management
Forage production
Rewarding mechanisms
Biogas production
Crops management
Manure storage and spreading
Water management
Energy management
Agroforestry and relation to landscape

Using climate smart practices to implement circular economies at farm level, this community of practice group (COP) will explore how farms can adopt circular economy principles to benefit the economics of the business and the wider environment. COP activities will champion farmers that have found pathways to a circular economy and create a route of accessibility to other farmers who may benefit from this knowledge.

1. Define the scope of on-farm circular economies within this COP and the context in which it delivers;
2. Promote the core principles of a circular economy within an agricultural and farm specific context;
3. Outline practices and methodologies which could lead to scalable circular economies;
4. Map the stakeholders appropriate to this focus title;
5. Identify farm that are achieving aspects of this subject, at all levels of a circular economy;
6. Design a legacy output for this project to surpass project life

Luxembourg

Reduction of GHG-emission by Mitigation of Ammonia-emissions

Coach: Linda Zehren

Thematic Areas

Herd management
Crops management
Soil health and biodiversity
Manure storage and spreading

The CoP Ammonia-Emissions has the aim to exchange knowledge among most important AKIS-actors in Luxembourg and surrounding regions, in order to reach an important reduction of the emission coming up from the luxembourgish agriculture. The CoP starts with a general panoramic on the knowledge concerning ammonia-emissions and touches after them the most important fields of the emissions such as feeding, emission from stable, storage and spreading organic manure.

1. Spreading of CONVIS tool to calculate ammonia emissions among advisory services in Luxembourg with the aim to make more sure previsions about emissions and in order to allow simulations of scenarios;
2. Better understanding of barriers and levers for a smart advice on the field of ammonia emissions;
3. Provide important information for policymakers and administration personal in oprder to allow Rewarding / incentive mechanisms for farmers to mittigte their ammmonia emissions;
4. Development of soft skills to overcome farmers’ inhibitions about using innovative techniques to reduce emissions

Netherlands

Green Manure and Nutrient Utilization

Coach: Pim Heeman

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Forage production
Manure storage and spreading
Soil health and biodiversity

The main objectives for the upcoming years include exploring different measures for optimal nitrogen utilization on farms and determining suitable cover crops for specific crops, considering various factors like soil type, nitrogen release, soil health, and disease pressure. To achieve these goals, the group, consisting of advisors from three different Dutch organizations with diverse expertise, will engage in farm visits, expert talks, reflection sessions and farmer invitations.

During the 2 years of the CoP, we aim to learn about at least 5 different measures for optimal nitrogen utilization on the farm. During the 2 years of the CoP, we aim to determine which cover crops are most suitable for the following crops, taking into account soil type, nitrogen release, soil health, and disease pressure: Potatoes, onions, carrots, sugar beets, corn.

Bulgaria

Knowledge for Climate Smart Effective Management of Pastures and Meadows

Coach: Yanka Kazakova-Mateva

Thematic Areas

Grassland management
Manure storage and spreading
Forage production
Herd management
Rewarding mechanisms

The first CoP in Bulgaria aims to improve the advisors’ knowledge on climate smart management of pastures and meadows with a focus on proven practices and technological solutions; the effects from climate change on pastures and meadows and advisory approaches and tools for farmers’ motivation. The CoP obligatory activities will be complemented by documentation and resource creation, peer review and feedback, expert lectures and guest speakers, field demonstrations and knowledge sharing sessions as well as a policy discussion group.

1. To identify and describe good practices and technological solutions for effective climate smart management of pastures and meadows;
2. To summarise and present in an advisor-friendly way the effects of climate change on pastures and meadows;
3. To test and demonstrate approaches and tools for farmers’ motivation for climate smart actions in the Bulgarian conditions.

Croatia

The Impact of Conservation Agriculture on the Soil and Environment

Coach: Ozren Hrsto

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity
Water management

Conservation agriculture represents the concept of agricultural production with the preservation of resources, which strives to achieve an acceptable profit, a high and sustainable level of production, while at the same time preserving the environment. It is based on the strengthening of natural biological processes above and below the soil surface.

1. Acquire knowledge and skills about the concept of conservation agriculture as a method of adaptation and mitigation of climate change;
2. Determine in which parts of Croatia conservation agriculture is not sufficiently represented;
3. Define how to encourage farmers to introduce conservation agriculture to their fields;
4. Gain experience on ways to increase soil health and biodiversity through practical examples from agricultural farms;
5. Create materials to further increase the knowledge of advisors and farmers about the benefits of conservation agriculture and other ways to increase soil health and biodiversity

United Kingdom

Abacus Agri (UK) Climate Smart Advisor Team CPD

Coach: Ian Knight

Thematic Areas

Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions
Soil health and biodiversity
Grassland management
Herd management
Forage production
Rewarding mechanisms
Biogas production
Crops management
Manure storage and spreading
Water management
Energy management
Agroforestry and relation to landscape

The core aim of our CoP is to develop our team of farm advisors to enable them with the skills and confidence to deliver climate smart advice.

The core aim of our CoP is to develop our team of farm advisors to enable them with the skills and confidence to deliver climate smart advice.

Estonia

Estonian Climate-Team on Soil Health

Coach: Hanna Tamsulu

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity

The CoP will focus on farming practices for climate smart farming in Baltics. We are aiming for better understanding the potentials of our region in terms of soil health and regenerative practices to develop a more in depth overview of suitable measures.

1. Understanding the potential of sustainable farming practices suitable for the region.
2. Connecting to other relevant stakeholder, organizing a networking events and peer learning.
3. Create a handbook designed for advisors and farmers with practical and sustainable climate smart strategies focused on soil.

Romania

Climate Smart Practices for Poultry Sector

Coach: Tatiana Panaite

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Manure storage and spreading
Energy management

CoP will focus on feasible practices allowing the poultry farms to adapt to the new reality (adaptation to the effects of climate changes / adaptation to the specific legislation / framework). The main interest will be on energy management, manure management and the potential evolution of the rewarding mechanisms.

1. To understand the functioning of the tools for estimation of the carbon footprint;
2. To select the most feasible measures to mitigate the carbon footprint, without negatively influence the economic efficiency;
3. To prepare the background for adapting of the poultry farms to the climate-related changes;
4. To be up-to-date with the climate-smart approaches.

Denmark

Organic Crop Production

Coach: Majken Husted

Thematic Areas

Forage production
Soil health and biodiversity
Crops management
Manure storage and spreading
Grassland management

The main objective of the CoP is to supply the advisors with tools to best advise farmers when choosing climate adaptation and mitigation measures. As a specific objective, the CoP have decided to start formulating a catalogue with climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, that are relevant for organic production in Denmark. This catalogue can be further developed by future CoPs.

1. Visit case farm – identify relevant measures and put in relation to the given farm;
2. Catalogue with relevant climate mitigation and adaptation measures (a product that future CoPs can expand on);
3. Joint workshop with advisors and farmers (e.g. CFD farmers) focusing on climate calculations and measures for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Spain

Carbon Farming: Carbon Capture in Soils and Fertilization Management

Coach: Angel Malumbres

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Soil health and biodiversity
Water management
Crops management

Study tour to Learn about other experiences on CSF: Training session to optimimize techniques such as fertilization to reduce its use and emissions maintaining economic sustainaibility of farms; Field demonstration on smart use of fertilizing; Training session on the use of tools for carbon calculation and other CSF techniques; Advocacy campaign to promote the use of smart techniques for farmers.

1. To be able to use a tool that allows us to carry out a carbon balance;
2. Identify “Smart practices” to offer a better advice to farmers;
3. To learn how fertilization influences profitability and emissions of farms;
4. To obtain a list with pros and cons and, if possible, applicable experiences;
5. To carry out or achieve real economic studies. Cross data with various handlings and situations.

Portugal

Development of Water Management Models in Almond Orchards

Coach: Maria Mendonca

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Soil health and biodiversity
Water management

Climate change has impacted the consistency and intensity of rainfall within the Iberian Peninsula. One means of management is the provision of water by irrigation. Within Portugal, irrigated almond orchards have increased by over 300% in the past ten years. Considering that water applications are one of the fundamental drivers of yield, improved application timings will be required to mitigate climate change and improve farm resilience. By using a group of experts, this CoP will identify solutions to various challenges faced by almond farmers.

1. Identify the relative research and develop better management practices for water applications in Portugal’s almond farms;
2. Determine the appropriate strategies to mitigate water limitations and shortfalls associated with climate change;
3. Develop a list of practices to improve on-farm water use efficiency;
4. Develop relative information to distribute through a variety of presentations and publications;
5. Demonstrate technologies on-farms.

France

Climate and Environment Experts Exchange Group Eliance

Coach: Nicolas Gaudilliere

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Herd management

The members of this CoP are advisors involved in the deployment of Climate Smart Practices. They will exchange on tools and methods they can use to support farmers and rewarding mechanisms they can promote.

The objective of this CoP is to investigate all technical levers that lead to a reduction of carbon footprint and a better adaptation to climate change at the scale of livestock farm system. The members of this CoP also support farmers in rewarding mechanisms based on the sale of carbon credits. They therefore wish to get informed about this subject and to share their experiences in this field.

Serbia

Preservation of Soil Health and Biodiversity

Coach: Aleksandar Ivezić

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity

The primary objective of the established community of practice (CoP) is to inform and educate Serbian AKIS actors about the impact of climate change on soil and to promote the development of climate-resilient agricultural practices. To achieve these goals, it is essential to involve policymakers in addressing the effects of climate change on soil health quality, thereby linking the CoP with agricultural policymakers.

1. Informing AKIS actors at the national level about the impact of climate change on soil health and quality.
2. Gaining insight into the general condition of agricultural soil in Serbia.
3. Educating CoP members on methods for mitigating the impacts of climate change on soil health.
4. Educating farmers on methods for mitigating the impacts of climate change on soil health.
5. Involving policymakers in addressing the impact of climate change on soil quality.

Austria

Energy management

Coach: Armin Mariacher

Thematic Areas

Energy management

Participants will build up basic knowledge on the subject of energy management in agriculture. What options/systems already exist and how they can be used.

Participants should build up extended knowledge on any subject of energy management in agriculture. Extend systematic advisory work in the field.

Italy

How to Reduce Environmental Impact of Livestock Farm in Italy

Coach: Isacco Rossi

Thematic Areas

Crops management
Forage production
Manure storage and spreading

The CoP is committed to finding strategies to adapt Italian livestock farms to climate change and at the same time trying to reduce the impact on the climate. In order to do this, forage production, manure storage and spreading and crop management are under consideration.

1. Reduction of farm inputs for cultivation, focusing in particular on conservation agriculture;
2. Optimisation of spreading and storage of farm manure in order to reduce GHG and ammonia production. Of fundamental importance will be the dissemination of good practices involving the distribution of livestock manure on crops with new strategies to implement nitrogen utilisation by crops;
3. Optimisation of rations with the use of self-produced fodder at farm level;
4. In this perspective, the discussion among advisors will focus on the new climatic conditions that Italian agriculture is facing as it requires new adaptation and mitigation practices at farm level;
5. Disseminate among advisors the knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment, which is increasingly important to understand which practices have the greatest impact on the farm and guide the farmer/farmer towards the transition to less impactful choices.

Spain

Mitigation and Adaptation Practices in Mediterranean Protected Cultivation

Coach: Miguel Giménez

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Crops management
Water management
Soil health and biodiversity

This CoP aims to create a knowledge base that serves to build a local agrarian culture with awareness of the risks associated with climate change, and to propose feasible measures that contribute to adaptation and mitigation with a special focus on soil management and the problems associated with pests and diseases of greenhouse crops.

1. Create a handbook designed for advisors and growers with practical and sustainable climate smart strategies;
2. Hold demo events, workshops with trained growers and advisors;
3. Explore social networks to improve communication;
4. Create a repository of valuable resources of information;
5. Create an assessment platform.

Hungary

The Importance of Diversifiacation in Climate-smart Farming

Coach: Tibor Bányai

Thematic Areas

Crops management

Among the various adaptation options (tillage practices, changing crop protection and fertilisation), the CoP focuses on the introduction of new crop species (e.g. protein crops) and varieties to increase crop security. We want to raise awareness of these climate-smart solutions among advisors and provide them with effective advisory tools to encourage farmers to develop a more diverse cropping structure that is more resilient to climate challenges.

1. Integration of new crop varieties/species of protein crops into crop rotation;
2. Presentation of good practices;
3. Focus on forage crops as a possible way to diversify;
4. Consider forage production needs when planning crop rotation, intercropping;
5. Mindset change, awareness raising among advisors and farmers, presentation of good practices;
6. Inclusion of climate change advisory topic in the list of optional topics/subject areas for registered advisors, introduction and launch of climate change basic and further training for advisors

France

Reducing Methane Emissions for Cattle

Coach: Benoit Rouillé

Thematic Areas

Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions

The aims of our CoP are to address all the issues involved in methane emissions of dairy cattle, and the use of feed supplements to reduce enteric methane in cattle. Several tools will be implement through the life of the CoP: scientific knowledge, visits of experimental farms working on methane emissions, invitation of expert guests, field visits, and so on.

The aims of our CoP are to address all the issues involved in methane emissions of dairy cattle, and the use of feed supplements to reduce enteric methane in cattle.

Czech Republic

Agroforestry and Landscape Features

Coach: Jakub Houška

Thematic Areas

Agroforestry and relation to landscape

The CoP focuses on developing advisory services in agroforestry, integrating these systems with existing landscape features as permanent green infrastructure. The aim is to enhance ecosystem services within agricultural landscapes and support sustainable farming practices.

1. Development of comprehensive advisory systems that encompass both productive agroforestry complementary to a network of landscape features as permanent green infrastructure of primary environmental function to enhance ecosystem services of the agricultural landscape;
2. Increasing the capacity of advisors in the implementation of agroforestry and landscape features (ecologically important elements);
3. Development of the soft and facilitation skills of CSAs including facilitation and convincing capability;
4. Increasing the awareness of advisors and farmers financial support through both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment;
5. Facilitation of knowledge exchange among advisors, farmers, researchers and/or professional organizations, and Ministry of Agriculture.

Ireland

Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions

Coach: Niamh Barry

Thematic Areas

Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions

This CoP aims to gain a better basic understanding and knowledge in the “Additives for reducing enteric methane emissions” thematic area so that once this technology becomes readily available the advisors are ready to support its adoption on farm.

1. Gain a better basic understanding and knowledge in this thematic area so that once it is readily available the advisors are ready to support it;
2. Try tools/methods within the group to help develop ways to promote CSF practices;
3. Generate a “rule of thumb/cheat sheet” that allows advisors to have the facts on the thematic area ready and practice using them;
4. Do role playing, to help the advisors carry out “myth busting” e.g how to steer a discussion back on track when a participant is pushing incorrect information into the discussion.

Germany

Bioland Climate Team

Coach: Moritz Böhm

Thematic Areas

Agroforestry and relation to landscape
Soil health and biodiversity
Energy management
Crops management

We are a young team of employees of Bioland working on a for us very important subject. Rewarding Mechanisms are getting more and more important. One difficulty we face are co2 certificate trader. We want to strenghten the position of farm when it comes to Co2 and balancing. Our goal is to balance as many farms a possible in the next years.

1. Co2 certificates, Traders and their different concepts;
2. Highlight the value of our Bioland farms in terms of Co2 certificates;
3. Covering many parts of Bioland (advisors, market, trading, agroforestry, balance, office)

Poland

Soil Health and Biodiversity

Coach: Małgorzata Razminas

Thematic Areas

Rewarding mechanisms
Crops management
Grassland management
Water management

Group of 5 Advisors and Coach from north-eastern Poland who works in same company – agricultural advisory centre. Some of us are specialised in environmental protection and organic farming. We are open minded people and in our Community of Practice we will try to combine our different skills and knowledge background to find problems and solutions for Farmers in case of soil health. But also we will try to understand why biodiversity is so important.

1. To find a good practice Farm, which can be shown as an example for other farmers;
2. Cooperate with scientific units in case of defined problems;
3. Make cooperatives between farmers, advisors, and scientific units

Slovakia

Farming Toward the Soil Health

Coach: Miriam Acsova

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity

The CoP’s annual plan focuses on raising awareness among farmers and stakeholders about the need for services of CSA and connecting with agricultural experts to build a strong advisory network. Key activities include enhancing the skills of advisors through ongoing education, collecting information on soil health management practices, identifying credible sources for best practices, creating tools for information exchange and exploring policy frameworks to incentivize sustainable soil management.

1. Increase awareness among farmers and stakeholders about the importance of CSA
2. Connect with agricultural experts, institutions, and stakeholders to form advisory network
3. Enable agricultural advisors to enhance their expertise and capabilities in providing climate-smart advisory services through ongoing education and skills development
4. Exploring soil health management practices on farms by collecting information about priorities in already adopted strategies
5. Identify credible sources of information for sharing best practices within the CSA community
6. Create the tools to facilitate the exchange of information between soil scientists, advisors, and farmers.
7. Explore existing policy frameworks and rewarding mechanisms to incentivize farmers for sustainable soil management practices.

Germany

Soil Water Grassland Dairy CoP

Coach: Siw Fasting

Thematic Areas

Grassland management
Water management
Soil health and biodiversity

The CoP will focus on farming practices for climate smart farming in northern Germany. We are aiming for better understanding the potentials of our region in terms of soil health, water management and grassland management to develop a more in depth overview of suitable measures.

1. Create a handbook designed for advisors and farmers with practical and sustainable climate smart strategies;
2. Understanding the potential of our region and defining more specific farming practices suitable for the region;
3. Connecting to other relevant stakeholder, organizing a networking event and participating demo events.

Germany

Creating Trust and Bulding a Knowledge Network on CS Dairy Farming in Bavaria

Coach: Annelie Bernhart

Thematic Areas

Forage production
Soil health and biodiversity
Grassland management
Herd management

Our CoP is concerned with bringing the still relatively neglected topic of climate change to the attention of the advisory community in Bavaria and tackling the issues that have been identified so far. From a technical perspective, we are focussing on forage production and different forms of husbandry. We will explore under which circumstances grassland management enhances soil fertility and how emissions can be reduced in stable hunsbandry.

1. Establishment of a pool of contacts on the topic of climate change, which is available within the Bavarian state system and serves to facilitate dialogue
2. Promoting trust among the advisors and with farmers through farm visits and emissions calculations with subsequent discussion
3. Distributing targeted, technically sound information on the topic of climate-friendly dairy farming by writing articles and using suitable media

Poland

Soil Health

Coach: Marek Krysztoforski

Thematic Areas

Soil health and biodiversity

We are a group of 5 men. Our coach has over 30 years of experience. In face of climate changes we will try to figure it out how to keep moisture in soil and protect soil against leaching of nutrients. We plan to meet on farms and make our meetings practical.

The aims of our CoP are to address all the issues connected to soil health and its good condition to face climate changes especially problem with drought and nutrients leaching.

Spain

Sustainable manure and slurry management

Coach: Alicia Martinez

Thematic Areas

Manure storage and spreading

We are a group of advisors with a strong day-to-day presence on the farms. Our mission is to achieve the establishment of a manure and slurry management plan in the Basque Country that ensures that both its storage and application is carried out in a sustainable manner.

1. Dissemination of two success stories in Alava and study similar techniques that could be implemented in the other regions of the basque country;
2. Adaptation of tools to optimise application and advice;
3. Diagnosis of the situation of farms (check list type) – how could they adapt to the new law;
4. Compilation of manure and slurry analyses.

Spain

coach-Alicia-Martinez

Alicia Martinenez

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Coach

Abere Zerbitzu Teknikoak Kooperatiba Sozietatea (ABERE)

Grassland management Manure storage and spreading Soil health and biodiversity

I work for ABERE, an advisor center with more than 30 years of experience in the livestock sector. I am the coordinator of the advisory department, providing services for the incorporation of young people to the sector, technical and economic advice, management of farms, advice on sectorial aid…; I also work in the services of sustainable management of organic matter.

Denmark

coach-Majken-Husted

Majken Husted

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Coach

Innovation Centre for Organic Farming

Carbon Farming & Carbon Footprinting

Researcher in the Climate & Nature group. Experience within climate calculation, specifically on crop production, calculation of climate effects of carbon sequestration and interpretation of measured field emissions of nitrous oxide.

Slovenia

coach-Černe-Jernej

Černe Jernej

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Coach

Chamber of agriculture and forestry of Slovenia, Agriculture and forestry institution Ptuj

Agricultural Policy Measures Guidance, Plant Protection Measures, Irrigation, Dry Grassland Preservation

I have a master degree in agronomy with a thesis on seasonal dynamics of brown marmorated stink bug. Currently I’m working for Agriculture and forestry institution in Ptuj primarly with farmers as an advisor, providing guidance mainly on agricultural policy measures and crop management. I am also involved in two European Innovation Partnership projects, one is about irrigation and the other about preserving dry grasslands.

Lithuania

coach-Eugenijus-Lukosevicius

Eugenijus Lukosevicius

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Lithuanian Agricultral Advisory Service (LAAS)

Crop production

I work as a senior crop management advisor at LAAS. I am responsible for advising farmers on crop production management, organising training for advisors and farmers (crop production management, use of pesticides, development of fertilisation plans). I participate in national and international projects. I am a Climate Farm Advisor in the ClimateFarmDemo project.

Italy

coach-Marco-Giacomoni

Marco Giacomoni

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Apo Conerpo SCA

Crops Management, Soil Health & Biodiversity

I am working as an technical employee at Apo Conerpo SCA, an Organization of Producers that includes 6.000 farmers, collected in 50 Agricultural Cooperatives shared around the most fruit and vegetable vocated regions of Italy. I principally working on project linked with agricultural sustainability, also with soil health and biodiversity and crop managment.

UK

coach-John-Langley-Randall

John Langley-Randall

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ADAS

Soils and Nutrient

I have worked as a Soils and Nutrient Scientist for ADAS since 2022 on projects including the Defra funded “impacts of slurry acidification on soil and crop health”, which was also the basis of my PhD, SUPER-G – a Horizon 2020 project assessing the ecosystem delivery of sustainable permanent grasslands, and an assessment of the impact of mob grazing on soil health funded by Natural England. I am also involved in the CFD project.

Latvia

coach-Dace-Zarina

Dace Zarina

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LLKC

Soil Microbiology, Soil Health, Composting

I work for Latvian Rural Advisory and Education office in Enviromental section. Working with farmers and vegetable growers through Focus groups. Specializing on soil health and fertility building strategies and soil microbiology.

Finland

coach-Henna-Latvala

Henna Latvala

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ProAgria South Ostrobothnia

Crop management, Grassland management, Soil Health & Biodiversity

I work as an expert of plant production in a Finnish advisory organisation. I mainly work on projects related to sustainable agrciculture, especially the climate issues, soil growth condition and carbon sequestration. I also do client work with farmers as planning of cultivation and application for farmer subsidies.

Netherlands

coach-Pim-Heeman

Pim Heeman

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ZLTO

Carbon Farming & Carbon Footprinting

I am a project expert at ZLTO, a advocacy organization for farmers and horticulturists in the southern region of the Netherlands. I hold a BBA from HAS University of Applied Sciences in International Food & Agri Business. Presently, I am engaged in various national and international projects that center around sustainable agriculture, with a specialisation on carbon farming and carbon footprinting.

Croatia

coach-Ozren-Hrsto

Ozren Hrsto

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Ministry of Agriculture

Water management

I studied , Food Science and Technology, Food Safety Management at The Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology at the University of Zagreb . Currently I am in postgraduate doctoral study – Food analysis PhD at the same Univesity. Through my role as an expert advisor in the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture for 6th Year, I am in daily contact with farmers and other residents of rural areas. Through advisory work and courses that we teach, I am very closely related to all the hardships that befall rural areas. As a participant of CECRA training for trainers and I2connect training for trainers, I know a lot about the advantages of training in terms of advisory work and the role of advisory work in the development of ecological and digital agriculture of the new generation. I am also project manager for few Horizon projects in Croatia: DESIRA , I2connect, modernAKIS, and also participant in projects: Climate Farm Demo, ClimateSmartAdvisors, OrganicAdviceNetwork.

UK

coach-Ian-Knight-Abacus

Ian Knight

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Abacus Agriculture

Agronomy, Farm Business, Organic & Agroforestry Systems

20+ years experience advising on organic and agroforestry systems. Linked to UK agroforestry network and UK’s largest commercial agroforestry & LL on CFD project. Abacus is leading UK organic and agroforestry advisory and training service for farmers and ag professional. Abacus involved in developing Gov policy on organic and agroforestry at UK and EU levels. Experienced faciltitator of workshops and COP’s.

Romania

coach-Tatiana-Dumitra-Panaite

Tatiana Panaite

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National Institute for Research & Development in Animal Biology and Nutrition - IBNA Balotesti

Poultry nutrition, feeds, farm management, technology transfer

22+ years of scientific expertise in animal science; technical and scientific experience in monogastric nutrition field; organization/coordination of digestibility trials; elaboration/optimization and development of animal nutritional solutions; nutritional strategies to obtain functional foods (meat and eggs) in partnership with SMEs; manager/responsabile national projects; team member in international projects; technological transfer; ISI/BDI reviewer; author/co-author patents

Portugal

coach-Maria-Mendonça

Maria Mendonça

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CONSULAI

Water management

Master degree on Agricultural Engineering, with a thesis on innovation uptake by farmers – having a particular focus on on-farm water efficiency and on the potential of knowledge exchange methodologies as tools of empowering farmers and other professionals in the agricultural sector. Currently works as a Research and Innovation Consultant in CONSULAI, involved in 4 Horizon Europe projects: ClimateFarmDemo, ClimateSmartAdvisors, ClieNFarms and FaRMeR, focusing on climate smart farming, risk and resiliency management, carbon farming, climate change, farmers and advisors capacity building, knowledge exchange networks, among other topics.

Poland

coach-Marek-Krysztoforski

Marek Krysztoforski

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Agricultural Advisory Center

Organic farming, crops management, fertilization

I work in AAC about 30 years. Master degree in agriculture. I am specialist in organic farming, crops management and fertilization. I have also experience of international projects as NEFERTITI, REMIX, SUMANU, FERTINNOWA

Serbia

coach-Aleksandar-Ivezić

Aleksandar Ivezić

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BioSense, Research and Development Institute for IT in biosystems

IT in Biosystems

I am a research associate with a PhD in agronomy. Primarily, I am a specialist in biocontrol and my interest is focused on the community of beneficial insects present on the territory of Serbia and neighboring countries. The main goal of my work is to investigate the possibility of using different types of beneficial insects in agricultural practice as an alternative to agrochemicals.

Austria

coach-Armin-Mariacher

Armin Mariacher

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Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry in Styria

Energy Management

Master Degree in enviromental system sciences. Experienced project manager in international and national projects. In the current position in the Department Energy, Climate and Bio-ressources at the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry in Styria I am responsible for National and International projects but also as an energy consultant for farmers in Styria.

Italia

coach-Isacco-Rossi

Isacco Rossi

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C.R.P.A.

Forage Production, Herd Management

I’m a junior researcher at the Centro Ricerche Produzioni Animali S.c.P.A.. I mainly work on fodder production, analysing which species and agronomic strategies are best adapted to climate change. My tasks involve both data collection in the field and the dissemination of results to farmers or steakholders. I worked in a dairy cattle farm and then for a short period I was an advisor.

Spain

coach-Miguel-Gimenez-Moolhuyzen

Miguel Gimenez Moolhuyzen

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COEXPHAL

Crops Management, Soil Health & Biodiversity Water Management

Innovation advisor and agronomist working in technology transfer and innovation in sustainable agriculture: water and soil management, climate smart agriculture, and integrated pest management. Management a.o. Demonstration activities, facilitation, peer to peer learning. Field operation manager in an experimental station for horticulture research.

France

coach-ROUILLE-Benoît

Rouille Benoît

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Institut de l'Élevage

Methane emissions

I am working at the French Livestock Institute, as an expert on dairy cow nutrition and feeding systems. I am in charge of regional, national and european projects delaing with milk production, feed-food competition, land use and carbonfootprint. On this last issue, providing efficient strategies to farmers for reducing methane emissions is a critical on-going work for the dairy industry. I am particularly involved in this research.

Ireland

coach-Niamh-Barry

Niamh Barry

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Teagasc

Grassland Management, Soil Health & Biodiversity, Herd Management

I am the Teagasc project advisor for the Climate Smart Advisors project. I have a MSc in Climate change, Agriculture and Food Security so I have plenty of knowledge in this field that I would be only to happy to share with other participants.I have worked on and with sheep, dairy and tillage farms. I have worked in both the research and advisor realms so I have experience of working on both sides of the fence so I believe I can bring a unique point of view to this project.

Germany

coach-Moritz-Böhm

Moritz Bohm

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Bioland e.V.

Crop Production & Management, Cover Crops

Agricultural business consultant, project advisor for HumusKlimaNetz focused on Covercrops, crop rotation, Humus built-up, Networking, Part-time oganic farmer

Poland

coach-Małgrzata-Razminas

Małgorzata Razminas

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The Warmia and Mazury Agricultural Advisory Service located in Olsztyn (W-MODR)

Organic farming and nature friendly farm management

Master degree in Horticultural Studies. Work experience in advisory service about 10 years, specialised in organic farming, soil and biodiversity management and getting funds for farming. Organize trainings for advisors and farmers. Currently I am involved in national demonstration projects which take place in organic farms in Poland, Climate Farm Demo and Climate Farm Advisors.

Slovakia

coach-Miriam-Ácsová

Miriam Ácsová

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Bioeconomy Cluster

Economic & Managerial Guidance for Crop Production, Soil Health & Biodiversity

I have been working extensively with farmers for many years as an advisor, providing advisory services in various areas, including economic and managerial guidance for crop production, marketing and sales strategies, the welfare of farm animals, advisory services for new and aspiring farmers, as well as expertise in climate smart farming, environmentally-friendly agriculture, and several other topics. I am also working with national authorities on different (but mainly) agricultural-related topics.

Germany

coach-Siw-Fasting

Siw Fasting

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Grünlandzentrum Niedersachsen/ Bremen e.V.

Grassland Management & Systemic Approaches

Project manager in the area of innovative and climate-smart agriculture, specifically grazing and grassland management. Facilitator of peer-to-peer learning and multi-stakeholder processes with a background in agricultural science and rural innovation, focusing on transformational processes and systemic approaches.

Germany

coach-Annelie-Bernhart

Annelie Bernhart

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Coach

FüAK

Management

Annelie Bernhart holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy and a Master of Social Sciences in Biodiversity, Conservation from the University of Oxford, UK. She has worked in international rural development for the past 12 years, including work with the FAO in Rome, the University of Coventry in the UK, Bioversity International, Slow Food and GIZ. Since 2021, Annelie is working for the State Academy for Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Landshut, Bavaria (FüAk). Her expertise lies in agroecology, agricultural crop diversity and political ecology. In CSA, Annelie is also co-leading the design of the Train the Trainers Programme for the CSCs.

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