A Place for Real-World Solutions: The Living Lab is based in the Mid-West region and will work on solving soil health challenges. Examples include:
It is not about theories. it is about testing and developing practical solutions that work directly on farms in the Mid-West. We will all put forward ideas and decide which one is best, listening to the problems and needs of all involved.
All stakeholders (farmers; agricultural advisors, scientists, local farming associations, County Councils) will work together to share problems and experiences. Together, we will co-design and co-create new techniques for improving soil quality, increasing yields, and making your farm more sustainable. There will be community events (farm walks, engagement with local schools; soil literacy workshops) and we will try to make it both productive and fun for everyone.
The SOILCRATES Ireland Living Lab will be a space to try out innovative farming practices in a supportive setting. These might include new ways to manage crops, fertilize the soil, or conserve water. All stakeholders will see first-hand what works and what does not.
In the SOILCRATES Ireland Living Lab, participants will have access to workshops, field visits, and demonstrations of successful techniques on working farms. This helps all stakeholders to learn from the successes (and failures) of others, saving time and resources. Training workshops and accredited programmes will be delivered to Living Lab participants.
As a participant, you can receive training courses, tools, and financial support to implement and test new practices on your own land. These practices aim to improve soil health, enhance productivity, and reduce costs in the long run.
Your involvement in the Living Lab means your voice matters because the results will be directly fed to the Irish government and European Commission in order to push for farmer-friendly laws that will not be changing every year. You will help shape the knowledge and policies that will support farmers. You will make sure that solutions are practical, fair, and beneficial to you and your community.
From simply receiving emails about what we do and what has happened in the Living Lab;
or
You can choose higher level of participation: taking part in farm walks, events, classes and discussion with other farmers and participants about how the Living Lab is working out for them;
or
Up to leadership-level participation, taking part in and directing field studies, co-creation workshops and training topics.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA) Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
