EU-FarmBook Meets Europe’s Advisory Community in Slovenia
Radenci, 16 – 18 June 2026
EU‑FarmBook played a prominent role at the joint conference of the European Forum on Rural Advisory Services (EUFRAS), the International Academy for Rural Advisors (IALB) and the Southeast European Agricultural Science Network (SEASN), held from 16 to 18 June 2026 in Radenci, Slovenia. The event was hosted by the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS).
The gathering attracted roughly 250 agricultural advisers, researchers, educators, policy‑makers, farmer representatives and innovation‑support organisations from across Europe. The central theme was “Targeted initiatives to promote the inclusion of women and young people in agriculture – with tailored learning opportunities and leadership training.”
The strong turnout in Radenci underscored that effective knowledge exchange is essential for a more resilient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector. (Photo: CAFS)
Networking & feedback
A recurring theme throughout the conference was how much impact depends on getting knowledge into the right hands — research findings, field experience and advisory expertise only create value once they reach the people who can use them. That’s the gap EU-FarmBook is built to close, with a multilingual, open-access platform connecting research and practice through trusted agricultural and forestry knowledge resources.
Open door for new collaborations
During the dedicated networking and poster session, EU‑FarmBook delegates met advisers and agricultural organisations to demonstrate the platform, discuss its ongoing development and collect feedback from potential users. The conversations highlighted a single, clear message: knowledge resources must be easy to navigate and genuinely useful to farmers, advisers and other actors of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS)on the ground. The event also opened the door to new collaborations with advisory bodies well placed to supply high‑quality content for the platform.
Advisors as knowledge brokers
Several sessions highlighted the adviser’s evolving role: from technical counsellor to innovation facilitator, bridge between research, policy and on‑farm practice, and guide for locally-adapted solutions. EU‑FarmBook equips advisers for these expanded tasks by making reliable resources easier to locate and reuse, and facilitates cross‑border knowledge flow.
Looking ahead
The conference closed with a joint EUFRAS-IALB ‑SEASN statement warning that an ageing farmer population, youth out‑migration and low female involvement jeopardise food security, rural vitality and the green transition. The networks call on the forthcoming CAP 2028‑2034 to place young people, women and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems at its core and to shift away from short‑term market pressures toward policies that make farming viable and rural areas truly livable.
Reflecting on the conference, Līga Saulīte, EUFRAS Project Manager from Latvia, said:
“This conference made clear that generational renewal isn’t just about who takes over a farm — it’s about whether young people and women see a future in agriculture at all, and whether advisory services have the backing to support them through that transition. EU-FarmBook has an important role to play here, connecting research, advisory services and practice in one place, so that knowledge on succession, innovation and rural livelihoods reaches the people who need it most. The energy and constructive discussions in Radenci confirmed there is strong demand for platforms that support advisors and farmers across Europe.”
