European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services

26/08/2026

CECRA Training for Young Ukrainian Agricultural Advisors

From 17 to 20 August in Lviv, Ukraine, two in-person CECRA seminars were held, bringing together 14 young Ukrainian agricultural advisors who strengthened their communication, negotiation, and moderation skills.

The training took place within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “YOUNG EUFRAS Training Program 2026–27”. Over the four days, participants put their newly acquired knowledge into practice through practical exercises, discussions, case studies, and a visit to a local family farm, with a particular focus on providing high-quality advice and support to farmers.

The training was delivered by an international team of trainers: Kristīne Žēpere from the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, together with Uwe Gottwald, Pablo Asensio, and Nelli Asensio from the Bavarian State Academy in Germany.

The participants’ strong engagement and professional experience demonstrated that such training is an important step towards strengthening a professional agricultural advisory system in Ukraine.

The training cycle will continue, with two more seminars planned in Ukraine in spring 2027, completing the 20-day training programme and the participants’ path towards obtaining the CECRA certificate.

15/07/2026

We are glad to invite you to participate in webinar for advisors working on short food supply chains (SFSC). This is a joint initiative of the Horizon Europe projects EU4Advice and COREnet, which are jointly building and animating a EU network of SFSC advisors.

The main goal of this session is to open a dialogue for mutual learning and building community within the network.

📅 20 July | 10:00–11:30 CET | Online

The session will revolve around two central dynamics:
• A network member will share his experience promoting short food supply chains and local food systems in the Netherlands, and open the floor for exchange
• Another network member will bring a specific challenge to the group, seeking input and ideas from fellow professionals
• Open discussion will follow each moment, among all participants
• We'll also share quick tips on finding the resources our projects produce

The webinar is intended for advisors and facilitators, public administration professionals, and anyone interested in short food supply chains.

register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MWJTuI4tQ4GNwER03dDr9g #/registration

18/06/2026

What a week in Radenci, Slovenia!

The 65th IALB, 15th EUFRAS and 12th SEASN Conference brought together advisors, researchers, educators and rural development professionals from across Europe for three inspiring days of learning, exchange and collaboration.

From engaging presentations and lively discussions to networking sessions and field visits, the event created countless opportunities to share experiences, discover new perspectives and strengthen connections across borders.

In his opening address, EUFRAS Chairman of the Board Rui Almeida set the tone for the days ahead with a simple but powerful message: make the most of being together. He encouraged participants to use this opportunity to meet new colleagues, challenge ideas, learn from one another and create new knowledge together. Judging by the energy in the conference halls, over coffee breaks and during the field visits, that invitation was wholeheartedly embraced.

Under the theme "Tailored Learning and Leadership to Empower Youth, with a Focus on Women in Agriculture", participants explored how advisory services can help shape a stronger, more innovative and inclusive future for European agriculture.

A huge thank you to our hosts, speakers and participants for making this conference such a vibrant and memorable experience. The conversations started this week won't end in Radenci—they will continue through new collaborations, fresh ideas and an even stronger European advisory community.

Until next time! 🌍🤝🌾

28/05/2026

Today we wrapped up our spring season of EUFRAS Coffee Breaks with an inspiring session: "BroilerNet: from Challenges to Champions"!

In collaboration with the BroilerNet project, speakers Stefan Gunnarsson (SLU, Sweden) and Annunziata Palamara (CRPA, Italy) shared how the project bridges science and practice by listening to farmers' needs. We explored innovative "BroilerNet Champions"—practical solutions for animal health, welfare, and sustainability that are both effective and economically viable.

Missed the live session? The recording is now available on the EUFRAS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSpvTOVHPi4

Thank you to all our participants for a great spring season. We are now heading off for the summer holidays and look forward to seeing you again for our next Coffee Break in September!

On May 28th, the EUFRAS Coffee Break initiative hosted "BroilerNet:...

12/05/2026

EUFRAS invites you to the next Coffee Break online session, featuring the European project BroilerNet, focused on improving broiler production across Europe with a strong emphasis on animal welfare, animal health, and environmental sustainability.
"BroilerNet: From Challenges to Champions"
28 May 2026 | 10:00 cet | Zoom

Join us for an engaging session where we will explore:
• the innovative BroilerNet approach connecting farmers, advisors, and scientists
• how good practices are identified and selected across Europe
• real “champion” solutions improving broiler farming
• key challenges and solutions in sustainability, animal health, and welfare

After the presentations, there will be time for questions and open discussion with experts:
• Prof. Stefan Gunnarsson – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• Dr. Annunziata Palamara – CRPA

BroilerNet is a European cooperation project involving 13 countries, aimed at identifying and sharing good practices in broiler farming, with focus on:
• animal welfare
• animal health
• environmental sustainability

The project has collected more than 100 good practices, including 24 “champion” solutions further analysed through cost-benefit assessments.

👉 Join us and discover how challenges in broiler farming are being turned into practical solutions across Europe!
Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/sqasc4uK8s

05/05/2026

EUFRAS Coffee Break with OrganicAdviceNetwork: Winners of the “Innovative Organic Advice Contest” Share Their Experience.

On 30 April 2026, the monthly EUFRAS “Coffee Break” took place on Zoom in cooperation with the Horizon Europe project OrganicAdviceNetwork. The session explored how advisory services for organic farming are developing across Europe.

The event opened with a welcome from Anita Dzelme (EUFRAS), who greeted more than 40 participants and introduced two award-winning advisory networks from the OrganicAdviceNetwork “Innovative Organic Advice Contest”, recognised for their innovation, impact, and forward-looking approaches.

Anna Wilhelm then presented the OrganicAdviceNetwork project, which aims to build and strengthen a Europe-wide network of organic farming advisors by 2028. The initiative brings together 32 advisory services and research institutes, offering an open space for knowledge exchange, a free online training platform, thematic networks, and 16 cross-visits across Europe.

Two winning networks then shared their experiences:

🌱 Carolina Tostain (GIEE LAIT BIO BAS CARBONE, France) highlighted the evolving role of advisors—from experts to facilitators who support farmers’ learning and development processes. She also stressed the importance of emotional and social support alongside technical improvements. Over five years, cooperation with 12 dairy farms led to reduced carbon emissions and improved economic performance, supported by creative co-creation methods.

🌱 Anika Fuger (SoLaWi Netzwerk, Germany) presented Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), where consumers and producers share risks and costs. Their advisory model includes 24 volunteer experts providing initial free consultations, focusing on organisational, communication, technical, and agronomic aspects, while also helping to restore the true value of food in society.

The EUFRAS team warmly thanks all participants and contributors for the inspiring exchange. The event once again highlighted the importance of networking, peer learning, and collaboration in strengthening advisory services.

Missed the session? You are welcome to watch the recording in YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlT1WwUE-bI

EUFRAS Coffee Break in collaboration with OrganicAdviceNetwork project about two innovative European organic advisory networks shared practical insights on s...

29/04/2026

Young agricultural advisors – this is your opportunity!

A new call is now open for the Young EUFRAS Training Program 2026–2027 – an international training and mentoring program for young professionals in agricultural and rural advisory services.

What’s in it for you?
- Practical skills and hands-on experience
- Mentorship from experienced experts
- International networking opportunities
- A chance to grow your career at the European level

If you’re up to ~35 years old and interested in agricultural advisory work, don’t miss out!

Learn more and apply:
https://www.eufras.eu/youngeufras-training-program-20262027-join-the-new-call

28/04/2026

Registration is now open!

The annual IALB, EUFRAS & SEASN Conference “Targeted initiatives for strengthening the inclusion of women and youth in agriculture through tailored learning and leadership development” will take place on 16–18 June 2026 in Radenci, Slovenia.

Join agricultural advisors, experts, institutional representatives, and practitioners from across Europe to explore innovative advisory approaches, strengthen knowledge exchange, and promote inclusion and leadership in agriculture.

There will be inspiring discussions, practical workshops, valuable networking opportunities, as well as field visits and a poster session – all contributing to meaningful exchange and offering insights that will help shape the future of European agriculture!

Please find more info:
* https://www.kgzs.si/sieu2026

* https://www.eufras.eu/annual-ialb-or-eufras-or-seasn-conference-on-june-16-18-in-radenci-slovenia

Register now and secure your place:
* https://e-svet.kgzs.si/registracija/product/12th-eufras-65th-ialb-and-15th-seasn-conference-2026/

22/04/2026

Calling Advisors Interested in Organic Farming!

Don’t miss the chance to learn, connect, and exchange expertise across borders through Cross Visits organized by the OrganicAdviceNetwork project.

These 2–3 day study visits bring together organic advisors from the same agricultural sector to explore innovative farming practices, share experiences, and learn directly from peers in different European countries.

14 Cross Visits already completed in 2025. For more info visit https://www.organicadvicenetwork.eu/news/be-part-of-the-2026-cross-visits-inspired-by-the-learnings-of-2025

16 new Cross Visits planned for 2026 in five agricultural sectors:
🌾 arable production
🐄 ruminant husbandry
🥕 vegetable production
🍎 fruit production
🍇 viticulture

Most programmes are already available at https://organicadvicenetwork.space/course/index.php?categoryid=3 and registrations are open!

Our Cross Visits consist of a cross-border exchange with advisors from the same agricultural sector. They are organised over 2-3 days in different European countries and provide unique opportunities for new and experienced advisors to gain insights into innovative organic farming practices and to me...

14/04/2026

Join the EUFRAS Coffee Break – 30 April at 10:00 (CET)!

EUFRAS, in collaboration with Organic Advice Network, invites you to get inspired by two award-winning organic advisory services

Discover innovative approaches from:
🇩🇪 Network for Community Supported Agriculture (Germany)
🇫🇷 GIEE for Organic Low-Carbon Milk – Chamber of Agriculture Normandy (France)

Learn how these initiatives are supporting sustainable and forward-thinking farming across Europe—from community-driven agriculture to climate-smart dairy systems.

What to expect:
- Inspiring advisory approaches & business models
- Practical, hands-on insights from the field
- Live Q&A with the speakers

Register for the event: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/x3mgFd9g1Q

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and exchange with peers across Europe!

More information:
https://www.organicadvicenetwork.eu/news/celebrating-innovation-in-organic-advisory-services