Experts Gathered at Mlyňany Arboretum to Discuss Regenerative Agriculture

On October 17, 2024, the Mlyňany Arboretum hosted the “Day for Soil” event, attended by representatives from ministries, state institutions, academia, agricultural experts from Slovakia and abroad, and members of the public. The event featured professional lectures, the launch of the “Platform for Soil,” and the ceremonial introduction of a no-till seeder.

“Regenerative agriculture is an innovative approach to soil management and agricultural production in our conditions. Experience both here and abroad demonstrates that this method, beyond being economically sensible, leads to significant soil quality improvement. By reintroducing microorganisms, it can sequester a substantial amount of carbon, which is crucial in the context of the climate crisis that increasingly impacts society,” said Peter Medveď, Director of the Ekopolis Foundation.

The Ekopolis Foundation has been addressing the topic of regenerative agriculture since 2021. Its long-term goal is to foster discussions on the sustainable use of land and implement measures to enhance resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. Following successful professional seminars such as Regenerative Agriculture: A Response to Climate Change and Global Crisis?and the Field Day for Sustainable Agriculture held at the Slovak Agricultural University’s farm in Kolíňany, the Day for Soil was held on October 17, 2024, at the Mlyňany Arboretum. The event was attended by 60 participants, including representatives from ministries, state institutions, academia, the professional public, and farmers from Slovakia and abroad.

The morning program included expert lectures and the introduction of the For Soil informal platform, held in the manor house in the heart of the arboretum. The event featured presentations by Prof. Pavol Findura, PhD., from the University Agricultural Enterprise of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, who addressed the impact of machinery and technology on soil condition. This was followed by Daniel Ács from the Bioeconomy Cluster, who presented European projects aimed at healthy soil. Johan Barstad and Rhys Evans from Norway’s Høgskulen for Grøn Utvikling (University College for Green Development) discussed regenerative horticulture. Ivan Fabián from the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber focused on the topic of direct payments and land management. Lýdia Frešová from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic shared insights and experiences on implemented and planned support measures for Slovak farmers.

Platform for Soil

At the conclusion of the morning program, the For Soil Platform was officially launched. Its goal is to support the development of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry in Slovakia and to facilitate the practical implementation of these technologies and principles.

“Our professional partners and the founders of this platform are Nestlé, Arborétum Mlyňany of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the University Agricultural Enterprise of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, and the Bioeconomy Cluster. We also collaborate on this issue with many farmers, research organizations, and institutions in Slovakia, such as NPPC, NLC, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic. Anyone interested in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry is welcome to join us,” said Martin Gálik, Program Manager of the Ekopolis Foundation.

The platform provides a space for bringing together researchers, experts, and farmers to share professional knowledge and experiences. It aims to support those already applying these principles or working toward integrating them into their practices.

“No change can occur without courage and experimentation. The benefit of the Platform is that it serves as a space for sharing experiences and know-how directly among farmers. This exchange can contribute to the faster development of regenerative agriculture in Slovakia. By sharing experiences, farmers don’t need to reinvent what has already been discovered. Equally important is the opportunity to turn to the experts associated with the Platform, who can provide advice in various areas. I believe the Platform will help facilitate a quicker and smoother transition to more sustainable farming practices,” adds Martina Šilhánová from Nestlé.

Living Lab

In the afternoon, the event continued in the premises of the Mlyňany Arboretum at the Living Lab. This is a joint project of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Ekopolis Foundation. Peter Ferus from the Mlyňany Arboretum presented the Living Lab project, which will be one of the first demonstration centers of its kind in Slovakia, where the principles of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry will be comprehensively applied in one place.

“As part of the program, we officially introduced the unique no-till seeder, Weaving, which farmers will be able to borrow to test on their own fields. In this way, we aim to make modern technologies for regenerative agriculture accessible even to smaller farmers,” concludes Martin Gálik.

The event was part of a project supported by Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt and the Fund for Bilateral Relations under the EEA and Norway Grants for the period 2014–2021.