European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services

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

06/03/2026

EUFRAS COFFEE Break: Fresh Insights into Carbon Farming

On 5 March, the EUFRAS COFFEE Break was held in cooperation with the Interreg project Carbon Farming CE, bringing together experts and practitioners to discuss the topic “Fresh Insights into Carbon Farming – How It Works and What’s the Price.”

The session featured Czech researcher Štěpán Krejčí from Agricultural Research Ltd. Troubsko, who shared valuable insights on the concept of carbon farming, its economic aspects, and practical implementation.

During the discussion, participants learned how practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and organic fertilization can help capture atmospheric carbon and improve soil health and fertility. At the same time, the session addressed the challenges farmers face during the transition, including higher initial investments and possible yield reductions in the first years.

The presentation also explored the complexities of carbon credit markets and highlighted the importance of long-term data and locally adapted solutions for successful implementation of carbon farming practices across Europe.

A sincere thank you to Štěpán Krejčí for sharing his expertise, to Anita Dzelme for moderating the event, and to all participants for their engagement and thoughtful questions.

Find out more about EUFRAS activities at: eufras.eu
Video available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJwx14tiYHQ

☕ See you at the next EUFRAS Coffee Break!

The EUFRAS COFFEE Break on “Fresh Insights into Carbon Farming – How It Works and What’s the Price” provides an overview of carbon farming, featuring insight...

27/02/2026

The second day of the EUFRAS Annual General Assembly, 2026 took participants from discussions to the field.

Participants had the opportunity to visit the Smart Farm of Széchenyi István Egyetem Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvári Kar– a unique environment where science, innovation and agricultural practice come together in one integrated system.

Throughout four interconnected stations, we explored the key directions shaping the future of agriculture:

AI, AKIS & advisory services
The first station continued our discussions on Artificial Intelligence and AKIS, highlighting how research-based advisory services translate knowledge into practical solutions for farmers. Effective governance models, knowledge exchange and close cooperation with practice are at the heart of strong advisory systems across Europe.

Precision agriculture & digital innovation
From sensors and robotics to drones and AI-powered data analysis, participants saw how data-driven technologies support better decision-making and improve efficiency in farm management.

Smart livestock farming
Advanced monitoring systems, animal metabolism research and precision livestock technologies demonstrated how productivity and animal welfare can go hand in hand.

Smart crop production & renewable energy
Innovative solutions integrating crop cultivation with solar energy showcased how agriculture can address sustainability and land-use challenges while strengthening farm resilience.

A sincere thank to our hosts for their openness and for sharing their expertise, research and innovations. The day was filled with meaningful exchanges, inspiring discussions and new ideas for future cooperation.
Because the future of agriculture is built on knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

25/02/2026

Today, 25th of February, marks the official opening of the EUFRAS Annual General Assembly 2026.
The event is hosted by Széchenyi István Egyetem Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvári Kar, Hungary.

On site, 23 member organisations are meeting to discuss the future of advisory services under the theme “Agriculture for the Future: Empowering Advisory Services through AI.” The thematic session included contributions from experts John Leamy and Mark Gibson from Teagasc, as well as Petra Aczel, Andras Ver and Tibor Banyai.

The programme continued with the Statutory Meeting, where members were informed about practical matters and the election of the new EUFRAS Board took place.

Participants are now taking part in workshops organised together with the ATTRACTIS, LiveNet, TechCoach and EU-FarmBook projects. A special workshop is also dedicated to young advisors within the “YoungEUFRAS” initiative.

Thank you to our hosts for the warm welcome and excellent organisation!