Kick-off meeting

The SPIN-FERT project kick-off meeting launched an exciting journey to revolutionize soil health and sustainable horticulture across Europe. Funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe, the project aims to set new standards in soil management. The meeting began with inspiring visits to locations showcasing agritourism and advanced agricultural research. Attendees explored innovations in new variety development, organic farming, precision agriculture, and sustainability. The second day featured engaging presentations on the project’s ambitious goals, focusing on the circular economy and peat-free substrates. Key discussions included the EU mission for soil protection and the project’s robust framework for soil health. Afternoon sessions covered essential topics like coordination, ethics, and the roles of various work packages. Highlights included a focus on the sustainability of innovative products and advanced tools for soil quality assessment. The meeting concluded with a positive and collaborative spirit, setting a hopeful tone for SPIN-FERT’s future. This kick-off didn’t just lay a foundation; it sparked a drive for groundbreaking sustainable soil practices across Europe. Stay tuned for more updates as SPIN-FERT leads the way toward a greener, more sustainable future!  

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SPIN-FERT Project Kick-Off Meeting Highlights

We are excited to share the highlights of the SPIN-FERT project kick-off meeting, marking the beginning of our collaborative journey towards enhancing soil health and sustainable horticultural practices across Europe.

Visit to Enomondo 19th June

The meeting began with a visit to Enomondo, aligning with the Caviro Group’s circular philosophy of converting waste into energy and natural fertilizers for agricultural use, helping to replenish vineyards where it all begins. We then visited the facilities and experimental fields of the Rinova Group. The first day concluded with a delightful dinner at Agriturismo La Graziosa.

The second day, July 20th, featured presentations by key figures in the agriculture field. Daniela Radu discussed Horizon Europe and project support, while Eligio Malusa introduced the SPIN-FERT structure. Steve Quarri presented the “Hort2thefuture” project focusing on wood fiber-based growing media. After lunch, administrative topics were covered, followed by discussions on coordination, gender, and ethics. Work packages 1, 2, and 3 leaders defined their objectives within the SPIN-FERT project. Joanna Hoffman highlighted communication and training in WP1, Bartek Tylkowski focused on biostimulants in WP2, and Maria Grazia Tommasini outlined agronomic testing in WP3.

July 21st resumed with Silvia Buzzi on sustainability, and Loredana Canfora on soil quality assessment tools. WHO? highlighted peat-free substrates’ benefits, and Eligio Malusa wrapped up with a summary. The meeting set the stage for innovative soil management practices in Europe within the SPIN-FERT project. Stay tuned for updates on our progress!