Annual Science Days 2025
6th & 7th of October 2025 in Aarhus, Denmark
Photo: Roar Lava Paaske
Annual Science Days have come to an end.
Participants from across Europe joined this year’s edition of EJP Soil’s Annual Science Days in Aarhus, Denmark. From the first day of groundbreaking research results to the second day of impactful dialogue, the advancements and insights have been remarkable. Agricultural advisers, farmers and young scientists have given their perspectives and engaged in discussions about the future of European farming. Due to the expertise, curiosity and vivid participation by all attendants in both panel discussions and breakout sessions, soil science has been brought one step closer to reality.
Stay tuned for more information about the future of the EJP Soil Community. Until then, have a look at the pictures from the event below, and visit the EJP Soil LinkedIn-page for videos and updates.
Reviews of the event
Photos from the event
Program overview
Day 1 - Advances in Science
October 6th
8.30 - 9.00 - Opening Registration
9.00 - 9.30 - Opening
By Claire Chenu (EJP SOIL Coordinator) & Brian Bech Nielsen (Rector, Aarhus University)
9.30 - 11.00 - Advances in sustainable soil management
This session highlights recent scientific advances on the use of sustainable soil management practices within a changing climate.
Keynotes:
“Indicators and thresholds to guide sustainable soil management”
by Olivier Heller (Agroscope, Switzerland)
“SOC sequestration for climate change adaptation and mitigation – what have we learned?” by Katharina Meurer (SLU, Sweden)
Facilitated by: David Wall
Panel Members: : Jan Verhagen (WUR) and Lars Munkholm (AU)
11.00 - 11.30 - Coffee
11.30 - 13.00 - Breakout Sessions
Breakout session 1 (Room 1)
Sustainable soil management practices
Facilitated by Lars Munkholm (Aarhus University, Denmark)
This session explores soil management related to different soil amendments and their impacts on crop yield and quality, soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Breakout session 2 (Room 2)
From data to decisions
Facilitated by Maria Fantappie (CREA, Italy)
This session explores innovative methods and tools for soil data collection, harmonization, and monitoring to support healthier soils and informed land management across Europe.
Breakout session 3 (Room 3)
Adoption of sustainable management
Facilitated by David Wall (TEAGASC, Ireland)
This session explores how cultural heritage, carbon farming, learning strategies, living labs, and a forward-looking research agenda contribute to the adoption of sustainable soil management.
13.00 - 14.00 - Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 - Advances in soil monitoring and resilience
This session highlights recent scientific advances in soil health assessment and management strategies.
Keynotes on Climate Change Mitigation by Anke Hermann (SLU, Sweden) and Comparing LUCAS Soil and National systems: convergence and divergence, with insights from France by Emile Maillet (INRAE, France)
Facilitated by Maria Fantappie (CREA, Italy)
Featuring: Alar Astover (Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia) and Zsofia Bakacsi (Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungary)
15.30 - 16.00 - Coffee
16.00 - 17.30 - Breakout Sessions
Breakout session 4 (Room 1)
Sustainable soil management and biodiversity
Facilitated by Francesco Vitali (CREA, Italy)
This session focuses on sustainable land management in relation to biodiversity, highlighting innovative research on plant-soil interactions, soil organisms, bioindicators, and the effect of management practices.
Breakout session 5 (Room 2)
Workshop on national hubs and mirror groups
Facilitated by Irene Criscuoli & Chiara Piccini (CREA, Italy)
This workshop session will highlight the experiences from select case studies, followed by an interactive discussion on national hubs, mirror groups, and other forms of knowledge exchange.
Breakout session 6 (Room 3)
Climate change mitigaton and carbon sequestration
Facilitated by Saskia Keesstra (Climate KIC, The Netherlands)
This session presents research on soil organic carbon dynamics,
highlighting measurement, modeling, and management strategies.
17.45 - 18.00 - Closing of Day 1
By Claire Chenu (INRAE, France) & Jesper Emborg (Aarhus University, Denmark)
18.00 - 19.00 - Poster Session
19.00 - Standing Dinner
20.00 - 24.00 - DJ and dance floor
21.30 - Late night snack for the hungry: Pølsevogn (Traditional Danish hot dog stand)
Day 2 - Impactful Dialogue
October 7th
8.00 - 9.00 - Registration and Coffee
9.00 - 9.15 - Opening and welcome
By dr Saskia Visser and Raisa Gerasina (Climate KIC)
9.15 - 10.15 - From Crisis to Resilience: The Soil Revolution That Changed Agriculture
“Tracing the evidence behind 20 years of soil-based
climate resilience”
Panel discussion featuring Henri DeLanghe (DG Research and Innovation), dr. Lutz Merbold (Agroscope) and Maurits Voogt (Eurofins Agro) Facilitated by dr. Saskia Visser (Climate KIC)
10.15 - 10.45 - Coffee
10.45 - 12.00 - Breakout Sessions
Breakout session 1 (Room 1)
Future-Proofing Soil Expertise: Education for the Next
Generation
Featuring Katharina Meurer (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Loraine ten Damme (Aarhus University), Esben Mortensen (Aarhus University), Rasmus Jensen (SEGES Innovation)
Facilitated by Amanda Matson (Wageningen Research)
The session will cover EJP SOIL surveys on soil science in Higher Education and future skills and expertise needs, from a European perspective. The panel discussion will address the question how do we adjust HE to serve the new insights of EJP SOIL (and maybe others)? And especially around such ‘non academic’ topics and generic/transversal skills such as innovations and entrepreneurship?
Breakout session 2 (Room 2)
Validation session - Soil management practices
Facilitated by Raisa Gerasina (Climate KIC)
Farming decisions shape landscapes, emissions, and long-term food security. Emerging tools are helping farmers make smarter, data-driven choices for soil health. This session highlights the latest innovation in decision support tools and management practices. A key opportunity to support scalable, farmer-centred soil stewardship.
Breakout session 3 (Room 3)
Future looking Dialogue - From algorithms to earthworms
Featuring Mogens Greve (Aarhus University), Maria Fantappie (CREA) and Davide Cammarano (Aarhus University)
Facilitated by Olivier Heller (Agroscope)
This panel explores how artificial intelligence can help turn scientific knowledge into practical action for the green transition. From e.g. precision farming and carbon monitoring to evidence-based policymaking, AI offers powerful tools to bridge the gap between data and sustainable practice. The discussion will also address ethical challenges around data ownership, transparency, and equitable use.
Breakout session 4 (Room 4)
Validation session - Soil biology and soil management practices
Facilitated by dr. Saskia Visser (Climate KIC)
Unlocking the hidden potential beneath our feet. Soil biology is central to resilient ecosystems and healthy food production. New insights into microbial life and soil-plant interactions open doors to low-input, regenerative farming. Explore how investing in living soils and new soil management practices can yield environmental and societal returns.
12.00 - 13.00 - Lunch
13.00 - 14.00 - Accelerating transformation for sustainable agricultural production systems NOW
Turning urgency into action for climate-smart, sustainable agriculture
Panel discussion featuring prof. dr. Claire Chenu (INRAE), Ben Honan (Climate-KIC) and Mona Ebdrub (farm Andelsgaarde). Facilitated by dr. Niels Halsberg (Aarhus University)
14.00 - 15.15 - Breakout Sessions
Breakout session 5 (Room 3)
Enhancing the role of soils in nutrient supply in the future
Facilitated by Janjo de Haan & Saskia Keesstra (Wageningen University)
Soils are key in the provision of nutrients to crop. What knowledge do we need to enhance this role of soils? How can we the role as nutrient reservoir and as a gradual supply of nutrients to crops and how can we prevent losses? Think along with us to identify the most important new practical solutions and research questions on this topic.
Breakout session 6 (Room 2)
Valorisation session - MRV and soil management practices
Facilitated by Raisa Gerasina (Climate KIC)
Trustworthy data is key to rewarding sustainable practices. MRV systems ensure that climate-smart farming gets recognised and financed. Join the discussion on the newest innovations that contribute to building credible, farmer-friendly MRV and soil management practices for soil health. Strategic for impact investors looking to back measurable transformation.
Breakout session 7 (Room 1)
Climate ready by Design: Future production systems rooted in Soil health
Facilitated by Klaus Jerosch (Agroscope)
What will climate resilient farming look like in 2050? And how will healthy soils be the foundation? This session dives into future production systems shaped by digital tools, biological solutions, and adaptive practices. We’ll explore resilient crop rotations, soil-biological innovations, and the new balance between arable and livestock systems, all built to thrive under changing climate conditions and shocks.
Breakout session 8 (Room 4)
Valorisation session - Increasing soil organic matter and soil management practices
Facilitated by dr. Saskia Visser (Climate KIC)
Soil organic matter is a foundation for fertility, carbon storage, and climate resilience. Learn how targeted interventions can restore soil function and reverse degradation.
The round table pitches science-backed pathways for building organic matter at scale, across different pedo climate zones. A compelling entry point for climate, food, and nature investors alike.
15.15 - 15.45 - Coffee
15.45 - 16.15 - “United by Soil, Driven by Impact: The Innovation Partnership Begins”
By: Prof. Claire Chenu (INRAE) and dr. Saskia Visser (Climate KIC)
This closing plenary will provide a synthesis of the day’s conclusions and formally launch the scoping phase of the Soil Innovation Partnership
Materials from the event
Posters
