Videos
SoilValues introduction video
SoilValues is a European-funded Horizon project, focusing on mapping incentives to pay for Soil Health Ecosystem Services. The project aims at developping business models for farmers to monetise value of outputs created through better soil health management practices.
SoilValues Dutch Business Model
During the visit of the SoilValues Consortium to the Dutch Testing Ground in April 2024, an interview of the co-creator and Farmer of De Biesterhof Howard Koster was shot. Howard explains the concept of the farm, the landownership of the citizen organisations and names the main challenges for today’s Dutch Farmers and his motivations to explore and develop this new farm system.
Interview Peter Jan Meire- Grenspark, Collaboration testimony- Belgium Testing Ground
This video is an interview from one of the stakeholders of the Belgium SoilValues Testing Ground, explaining his role in setting up a network of #biomassenergy at the boarder region Netherlands/ Belgium.
Serbian Educational video about seeders
Florian Farkaš, an agricultural advisor and expert in regenerative farming, provides a detailed explanation of seeders as a key tool in modern agriculture. In this video, Florian covers: 1. Different types of seeders and their advantages 2. Options for acquiring seeders in our region 3. Their role and importance in regenerative agriculture Practical tips to help you choose the right seeder and improve your production.
Regenerative Farming Success: Ivan Sudarević’s Journey to Healthier Soil & Lower Costs
Ivan Sudarević, a regenerative farmer from Subotica, runs a farm focused on crop production and beef cattle breeding together with his family. Ivan shares his inspiring story of transitioning to regenerative practices. He also talks about the challenges he faced, and how exchanges with other farmers and the work of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance have supported him.
From Soil Degradation to Regeneration: Teodor Baloš’ Farming Transformation
Teodor Baloš, a farmer from Torak, has been successfully applying regenerative agriculture on 85 hectares in recent years. He started with conventional methods, but after noticing soil degradation due to irrigation and wind, he decided to seek better solutions. Watch his story on how regenerative practices can help us adapt to the challenges of modern times!
Soil Health & Wine: Dr. Jordana Ninkov on the Future of Sustainable Viticulture
Dr. Jordana Ninkov, explains the key role of soil health in successful agriculture, with a special focus on viticulture. Learn why soil microbiology is the foundation of future production and how soil characteristics directly influence the quality of grapevines and the uniqueness of wine. In this video, you will discover: 1. How soil characteristics shape the uniqueness of wine and a propoer uniderstanding and management of it is important for sustainble practices 2. Why soil microbiology is a key factor for sustainable agriculture.
12 Years of Regenerative Farming: Zvonko Kulić’s No-Till Success Story
Zvonko Kulić from Subotica has been applying regenerative practices on his farm in Alekse Šantić for over 12 years. He started with conservation tillage and hasn’t used a plow in more than a decade and has seen remarkable results in both yield and sustainability.. Zvonko shares his experience on how this approach enables better results with lower energy and time consumption, even in challenging climatic conditions. His experience showcases the power of regenerative practices in improving soil health and building resilience on the farm.
Introducing Peter Kirk-Haugstrup & His Farming Vision
What drives a farmer to rethink traditional practices and focus on soil health? At Peters Gartneri, a diverse farm at the heart of the 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, farmer Peter Kirk-Haugstrup shares how he transitioned to 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. In this video, Peter introduces his diverse farm and talks about what sparked his 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 focused farming practices. He elaborates on the strategies and practices implemented to enhance 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 across his fields.
Building Soil Health—A Farmer’s Strategy
What drives a farmer to rethink traditional practices and focus on soil health? In the second part of our Interview, Danish farmer 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐤-𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐩 goes more in depth with his 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, how he assesses the soil with a ‘𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬’ and observes the structure of the soil and determines the health and 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨-𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 and their impact on the soil.
Strengthening Local Food Systems—A Farmer-Customer Connection
How can a 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 create stronger ties between farmers and consumers? In part three of our interview, 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐤-𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐩 shares how he has built a close, sustained relationship with his 𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐛ø𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 (𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫-𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬) at Peters Gartneri. By offering a vegetable subscription throughout the season, he ensures a steady supply of fresh, diverse produce while fostering a deeper connection between people and the food they eat.
Shaping the Future—Sustainable Business Models for Farming
How can farmers integrate 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 while ensuring long-term viability? In the final part of our interview, 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐤-𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐩 discusses the formation of a 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 dedicated to exploring and developing 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 for farming. By bringing together farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders, the group aims to find practical ways to balance economic resilience with 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.
Belgian Community of Practice – Composting for Soil Health
This video presents the Belgian Community of Practice (CoP), part of the SoilValues project. Communities of Practice bring together farmers, researchers, businesses, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and co-develop practical solutions that support sustainable soil management. In Belgium, the CoP is working on a regional composting initiative in the northern part of the country. The aim is to establish an economically and ecologically viable alternative fertilisation strategy that benefits farmers, improves soil fertility, and contributes to a more sustainable agricultural transition.
What Works for Soil Health? Lessons from our Polish Testing Ground
How do farmers translate soil-health knowledge into real, practical change on the ground? In our new SoilValues field story from Poland, our project partner IRWIR PAN meets with local farmers who are testing improved soil-management practices — from reduced tillage to smarter crop rotations. Their experience shows how small adjustments in field operations can make a meaningful difference for soil structure, biodiversity, and long-term productivity. Watch the video to discover the farmers’ insights, the challenges they face, and what motivates them to innovate for healthier soils.
Towards Inclusive Business Models for Soil Health: Six Perspectives on Value
Our coordinator Erik Mathijs presents our first policy brief, Towards Inclusive Business Models for Soil Health: Six Perspectives on Values. He identifies six complementary perspectives: 1️⃣ Productivist – soil as productive capital, improving yields and reducing costs 2️⃣ Ecosystem Services – soil as a provider of public goods such as carbon storage and water regulation 3️⃣ Resilience – soil as insurance against environmental and economic shocks 4️⃣ Non-use value – protecting soil for future generations 5️⃣ Intrinsic value – recognizing soil’s inherent worth beyond human utility 6️⃣ Social value – soil health as a driver of inclusive governance, equity, and innovation
Why Soil Monitoring Matters for Europe’s Future – Interview with Professor Mogens Greve
As part of the SoilValues Interview Series, this interview explores the Soil Monitoring Law and its importance for protecting soil health across Europe. In this conversation, Mogens Greve shares expert insights on why a coherent and harmonised Soil Monitoring Law is crucial to improve soil data collection, support evidence-based policymaking, and guide sustainable land management practices. The discussion highlights the role of soil monitoring in strengthening the resilience of agri-food systems and supporting long-term environmental sustainability and how reliable soil data, harmonised monitoring frameworks, and collaboration between science and policy are key to safeguarding soil health and strengthening the resilience of Europe’s agri-food systems.
Exploring the Role of Governance in Soil Health
This video is Part 1 of an interview with Tristano Bacchetti De Gregoris, coordinator of the European projects GOV4ALL and CREDIBLE. In the interview, Tristano reflects on what is often missing when policies and initiatives are designed, emphasising the importance of a systemic view of how different elements interact in practice. He discusses the role of governance, coordination across levels, and institutional coherence, noting that technical solutions alone are rarely sufficient if the broader system does not support a systemic transition. The conversation also touches on the need for policies and initiatives to create real value for farmers, ensuring that sustainability objectives are aligned with on-the-ground realities and that transitions are feasible for those managing land every day.
From Governance to Practice: Business Models and Carbon Farming for Soil Health
In the first part of the interview, we reflected on the importance of a systemic approach to soil governance. In this second conversation, Tristano Bacchetti De Gregoris brings the discussion into practice, drawing on his experience in EU-funded projects. The interview explores the methodological approach developed within GOV4ALL, with particular attention to how business models can support sustainable soil management and create the conditions for long-term engagement by land managers. Tristano also shares his perspective on carbon farming, drawing on insights from Credible and discusses its potential to connect environmental ambition with economic feasibility during the transition towards more sustainable soil health practices.
SoilValues Interview Series — What Enables the Transition to Healthier Soils?
In the latest episode, we spoke with Perrine Bulgheroni, Mission Soil Ambassador, about what truly enables the transition towards healthier soils. Perrine highlights the crucial role of farmer training and capacity building, stressing that knowledge generated at institutional and research levels must effectively reach those working on the ground. Another key insight from this conversation is the importance of fair risk- and cost-sharing. When new soil-friendly business models are introduced, the burden should not fall solely on farmers. Instead, risks and costs should be shared across the entire society that benefits.
SoilValues Interview Series – Rethinking Farming Models for Healthier Soils
In the second part of our conversation we focus more closely on her experience as an agroecology practitioner and on how new generations of farmers are reshaping the way farming is understood and organised. She describes a shift from a conventional, individual-based vision of farming towards more cooperative and land-sharing systems, where several producers work together on the same field. She also addresses some of the main barriers to adopting sustainable soil practices and the need to rebalance the system so that farmers can regain a fairer share of the value that is often lost along the chain before food reaches consumers.
SoilValues Interview Series – Insights from our sister project InBestSoil
In this episode of the SoilValues Interview Series, we share a set of conversations with partners from InBestSoil, our sister project, exploring how soil health can be supported through business models, Living Labs, and enabling policy frameworks. We spoke with Andrés Seijo Rodríguez , coordinator of InBestSoil, and other partners, about the real costs of establishing soil health business models and the importance of sharing risks and investments among farmers, local public actors, and other stakeholders. He also reflects on the need to better recognise the many ecosystem services provided by healthy soils that often remain invisible in economic terms.
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Contact
Get in touch with us by sending an e-mail to info.soilvalues@kuleuven.be