EU-FarmBook and ENAJ host their first Press and Networking Event at Ghent University

Ghent, July 8 – 10
The EU-FarmBook Consortium, the European Network of Agricultural Journalists ENAJ, and Ghent University hosted their first joint Press and Networking Event, inviting agricultural journalists from all EU member states. The event offered an exciting program with ample material for compelling agricultural stories.

Networking Monday: Moving towards resilient farming

Monday kicked off with a networking event open to all agricultural stakeholders interested in shaping the future of resilient farming. Around 90 participants from academia, industry, agriculture and politics, as well as members and partners of H2020 or Horizon Europe projects made the event a success. Panel discussions allowed experts from research, industry, politics, farmers and young farmer representatives to share the topic. The evening concluded with a flying dinner and plenty of opportunity for further lively dialogue and exchange.

Tuesday: Press event to inspire journalists

Journalists from 13 European member states and the United Kingdom took part in the press trip. On Tuesday morning, they engaged with 17 European spin-off companies at an Innovation Speed Dating event, which showcased innovative ideas and solutions for the agricultural sector born out of university research. EU-FarmBook also presented its online platform highlighting how it will enhance the agricultural and forestry sector’s resilience, sustainability and ability to deal with emerging challenges.

A visit to Hof Te Kattem was another highlight for the journalists. Fifth-generation farmer Pieter Van Wilderode, his wife Griet Lemaire produce organic grain and feedstuffs, potatoes for the famous Belgian French fries, and raise pigs.

Pieter Van Wilderode produce organic grain and feedstuffs, potatoes and raises pigs
on his organic farm Hof Te Kattem

The journalists also visited the UGent Experimental Farm in Bottelare, a well-equipped facility that carries out multidisciplinary and innovative fundamental and applied agricultural research and is centered around breeding crop production and crop protection.

Wednesday: Research you can touch at the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)

On Wednesday morning, the journalists visited the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB). The researchers investigate drought stress in arable crops and its impact on growth and yield. Using growth chambers, the facility controls lighting, temperature, water, and nutrients, testing crops in greenhouses and fields to enhance resilience to drought and climate change. Scientists also study the influence of soil and soil bacteria on the growth of different soy varieties.

Research you can touch at the VIB

Another stop on the press trip was the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO). In the 120-cow dairy research barn, the participants learned about a climate scan tool that calculates the carbon footprint of a single liter of milk helping farmers develop more climate-friendly products. ILVO also offered a tour of its HYDRAS field, a state-of-the-art, multi-sensor and drought-controlled field equipped to perform both above- and belowground phenotyping. The field allows researchers to test the climate resilience of newly bred plant varieties.

Agricultural journalists at ILVOs 120-cow dairy research barn

Pieter Spanoghe, EU-FarmBook coordinator and host at Ghent University, was pleased with the successful launch and the first joint press event with ENAJ. He noted that this kind of collaboration between a Horizon project and journalists is a first. ENAJ chairwoman Lisa Bellocchi and Jef Verhaeren, founder and honorary president of the ENAJ, also thanked the participants, the farm and research institute hosts, and the university for their hospitality. This promising start paves the way for further joint events planned for the future.