County Limerick farmers, communities and organisations are helping to develop practical solutions for healthier soils, biodiversity and sustainable farming through the SOILCRATES project.

Ballyhoura Development has welcomed the announcement of new SOILCRATES pilot projects across County Limerick, highlighting the important role local farmers, communities and organisations are playing in advancing soil health and sustainable land management.

The announcement was made during the recent SOILCRATES General Assembly and Interregional Learning Event, held in Limerick and hosted by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), the Irish lead partner for the project. The event brought together project partners, Living Lab representatives, farmers, researchers and stakeholders from across Europe to share knowledge, showcase innovation and strengthen collaboration around soil health and biodiversity.

SOILCRATES is a Horizon Europe-funded project focused on restoring and preserving European soil quality through farmer-led innovation, research and collaboration. Inspired by Socrates' philosophy of inquiry, dialogue and collective learning, the project brings together 21 partners from six countries across academia, community organisations, the agricultural sector and local authorities. Recognising soil as a vital living resource, SOILCRATES addresses its critical role in food security, biodiversity and climate resilience. 

Ballyhoura Development is one of three community partners supporting the Irish Living Lab, working with farmers, agri-businesses, community organisations and public agencies across the Ballyhoura region and wider County Limerick. Cloughjordan Ecovillage leads activity in County Tipperary, while Loop Head Together supports communities in County Clare.

A major milestone celebrated during the General Assembly was the announcement of 52 pilot projects that will receive support through the SOILCRATES Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) programme. Backed by a total investment of €1.6 million, the programme will support farmers, land managers, research organisations and local stakeholders to test innovative soil health solutions under real-life conditions across Ireland, France, Spain and the Netherlands over the next two years. 

The selected projects explore a range of innovative practices, including regenerative agriculture, soil fertility improvement, biochar applications, diverse grassland management systems, nutrient cycling and other sustainable land management approaches. By testing these solutions in real farming environments, the projects will generate valuable knowledge that can be shared locally and across Europe.

County Limerick is strongly represented within the programme, with five pilot projects selected for funding. These include CoverChar2627 led by Ballyhoura Rural Services CLG, Maximizing Organic Potential, Soil Deal for Europe, Multi-species and Application of Gypsum to Tackle Compaction, and Adoption of Digestate Application and Diverse Swards to Improve Soil Health on Grassland.

The projects reflect a diverse range of soil types and farming systems and are exploring practical approaches to improving soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience. The initiatives include the use of legumes and biochar to restore degraded soils, marine-based soil enhancers to improve nutrient retention and grass production, multispecies grasslands and gypsum applications to address soil compaction, the rehabilitation of farmland affected by intensive management practices, and the use of digestate alongside diverse swards to improve soil fertility while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers.

Together, these projects demonstrate how farmer-led innovation and practical experimentation can contribute to healthier soils, more resilient farming systems and a more sustainable future for agriculture across County Limerick and beyond.

---

The General Assembly also included field visits to Irish pilot sites, allowing international partners to meet farmers and project participants and see first-hand the innovative work taking place on the ground. These visits highlighted the importance of Living Labs in bringing together farmers, researchers and communities to co-create solutions that respond to local challenges while contributing to wider European learning.

Commenting on the announcement, Rhiannon Laubach of Ballyhoura Development said:

"We are delighted to see County Limerick so strongly represented within the SOILCRATES project. These pilot projects demonstrate the innovation, commitment and expertise that already exists within our farming and rural communities. Through the Irish Living Lab, we are helping to connect farmers, researchers, businesses and communities to test practical solutions that improve soil health, biodiversity and long-term sustainability."

Healthy soils play a critical role in food production, biodiversity, water quality, carbon storage and climate resilience. Through SOILCRATES, Ballyhoura Development is helping to support practical action and knowledge-sharing that will benefit both local communities and the wider environment.

SOILCRATES works with farmers, communities, researchers and other stakeholders to monitor soil health and biodiversity, enhance soil structure and health, and improve understanding of the vital role healthy soils play in supporting food production, biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience.

By connecting local knowledge with European expertise, the project is helping to build more resilient farming systems and healthier landscapes for future generations.

Visit SOILCRATES.eu