Farming, in its most basic form, is the production of food through the cultivation of the soil, and so it is the soil which is a farmer's most precious asset.

With the constant avalanche of information, politics, sales pitches, and other distractions farmers are faced with today, it is only too easy to overlook the importance of caring for the land, and there are those within agriculture who argue that it has suffered because of it.

The latest initiative to help bring the soil back into focus as the foundation of farming is the Soilcrates Living Lab Project, which is funded by the EU in a bid to enhance soil quality and promote sustainable soil management practices. 

Soilcrates is inspired by Socrates’ philosophy of inquiry, dialogue and collective learning.

It is a collaborative project focused on restoring and preserving ground quality across Europe by developing soil literacy and monitoring soil structure, soil life, and crop-growing conditions of mineral soils. 

The official launch of the Soilcrates Living Lab will take place at Deebart House Hotel, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, at 8:00p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. 

This event will showcase how local stakeholders can engage in enhancing quality and sustainability in the region, with the focus being on new opportunities for farmers and landowners.

Collaborating with 21 international project partners, the Soilcrates Living Lab is intended to serve as a hub for local farmers, government agencies, advisory services, and community organisations, where they can discuss and implement sustainable management practices.

The lab is designed to foster knowledge exchange and pilot innovative solutions to promote ecologically sustainable and economically viable enhancement practices across the region.

Key objectives of the Living Lab include the monitoring and improvement of soil health, addressing issues such as nitrogen overuse and poor soil drainage, and encouraging the greater use of legumes and other soil-enhancing crops.

The evening is being organised by Ballyhoura Development, a community-led local development company (LDC) and registered charity that works with communities, families, individuals and businesses in the Ballyhoura region of east Limerick and north Cork.

The LDC has successfully managed, coordinated and implemented a wide range of national and European projects and programmes since its establishment in 1989, and currently delivers over 30 programmes.