Ground2Live (2025-2028)
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Enhancing Ground Cover on Vegetable Farms: Living Labs for Resource Conservation and Economic Sustainability in Agroecological Systems (Ground2Live)
The GROUND2LIVE project develops and investigates innovative strategies for establishing cover crops in vegetable production systems—either as undersowing or catch crops—to make vegetable farming in Europe more climate-resilient and sustainable. In living labs, close cooperation between farmers, advisors, and researchers leads to practical measures that can be directly tested for their applicability. The aim is to improve soil quality, reduce nutrient losses, and promote biodiversity—without compromising farm productivity.
The project structure operates on several levels and involves various stakeholders:
- Living labs in seven European countries test practical solutions directly with participating farms and in controlled experiments.
- Scientific surveys are carried out across the EU to assess the effects on soil, yield, and product quality.
- Best practices for practical and living lab research are documented and serve to further develop applied research methods.
The generated knowledge is tailored to target audiences in science and practice and made accessible across Europe.
Duration
01.08.2025 – 31.07.2028
Participants in the FÖL
in cooperation with
- Germany (University of Kassel, Verein Ökologischer Landbau, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen)
- Belgium (ILVO, Inagro)
- Italy (CREA)
- Denmark (Aarhus University)
- Netherlands (Louis Bolk Institute)
- Slovenia (University of Maribor)
- Estonia (Estonian University of Life Sciences)
Funding
The project is co-financed under the European Partnership “Agroecology” and supported by the European Union as well as national funding organizations.