Project background

Capacity building for agricultural educators creates a knowledge system better able to support farmers, creating a foundation for transformations into regenerative agriculture. However, in Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine, extension services are limited, and many small- and medium-scale farmers lack access to advice that would support them to farm in a more sustainable way.

Using a combination of online learning programmes, field schools and in-person activities, young advisors will be trained to support engagement across value chains, increasing subject matter expertise in diverse areas of regenerative agriculture. They will also be given the extension and communication skills needed to successfully support farmer transitions to regenerative agriculture.

The programme is led by the University of Reading (UK), supported by teams in the target countries at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Poznan University of Life Sciences, and Slovak University of Agriculture. Partners in the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club and the Slovak Association of Agricultural Entrepreneurs and Family Farms (SAAEFF) will support engagement with the farming community. Researchers at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) will create a film-based learning strategy, the University College Dublin team (Ireland) provide extensive experience in extension education, while Climate Farmers specialise in farmer training in regenerative agriculture.