Austria

Introduction

Soil health and sustainable soil use are becoming increasingly important for the production of regional and high-quality products. The soil’s capacity to store carbon and water has a positive impact on nature and climate. The healthier, the looser and the more revitalised agricultural land is, in turn, the less fertilizer is needed. As a result, there is also a higher crop harvest. 

Across Europe, there is a high demand for tools and opportunities to raise awareness about soil and sustainable soil management. It is important to inform the general population about agricultural issues in an understandable way. In particular, farmers who pay close attention to their soil are better able to cope with weather fluctuations and long periods of dry weather. 

To help farmers and the general public to learn more about their soil, the project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase, soil-kit) was developed by a team in the LEADER region of “Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal”. An assessment toolbox with an app, known as « Bodenkoffer » was created. The tool enabled numerous farmers to independently carry out the analysis of their agricultural soils and green areas. Chemical, biological and technical analysis methods are used to examine the soil in 10 stations with the soil-kit. The data from the analyses can subsequently be recorded digitally via a smartphone app or written down in the enclosed instruction book. The evaluation of the results is available immediately after the data has been transmitted. An individually developed course programme was offered to the farmers for a correct use of the soil-suitcase. The course programme was carried out by 15 to 20 soil ambassadors of the region in small groups on site. 

Through the developed soil-kit with app, farmers received professional tools to be able to analyze their agricultural fields and green areas of the region independently. 

Location: 

The project is located in the LAG Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal, Austria, UpperAustria, 5280 Braunau am Inn – but now after 3 years there are 300 soil-suitcases being used in many LEADER regions in Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and El Salvador. 

Elements of context : 

To see how the Bodenkoffer « soil-suitcase » works please go to : www.bodenkoffer.at – here you can see videos to all 10 steps and what the purpose of every single step is. 

Objectives : 

The project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase) aims to help farmers to gain a better understanding of their soils. The importance of sustainable and soil-friendly farming for the future should be strengthened. 

Target groups of the project are farmers who want to improve their agricultural land and green areas and interested people who want to become soil ambassadors in the region. In addition, the general population is regularly informed about the project and its progress. This should enabled by accompanying public relations measures. The aim here is to raise people’s awareness and sensitivity to the importance of sustainable soil farming. 

The better a farmer knows his soil, the better he can respond to environmental extremes and reduce pesticides and fertilizers while still producing a high crop output. 

Actual or expected outputs : 

The project has increased awareness of soil health. 

Furthermore, the project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase) has shown positive effects in dealing with natural resources and the cultural heritage. The project ensures the preservation of small-scale agriculture. Maintaining small-scale agriculture is important for the preservation of diversity in production and the responsible use of resources. 

240 soil-suitcases are being used in Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and El Salvador. The developed tool has been adopted by other LEADER regions, including the LEADER region « Mitten im Innviertel », « Sauwald-Pramtal » and « Mühlviertler Alm ». Organisations in the field of regional development and nature-climate protection such as « REGIS Raeticon » and « KLAR Gölsental » are using the tool as well. The soil-kit is also used in many agricultural schools in Upper Austria, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol and Bavaria. For example, a graduate of an agricultural school brought a soil-suitcase to South America for her voluntary social year in 2022. At the Burghausen-University-Campus, the soil-suitcase is also used in classes. 

The role of LEADER in the project (funding, support, networking, etc.) : 

BR Ferdinand Tiefnig as the former chairman of the LEADER-region Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal asked the team if it could be possible to start a project for soil-health. 

After several meetings 4 people were found who started to develop their idea of a Bodenkoffer-soil suitcase. DI Hermann Pennwieser, DI Elisabeth Murauer, Norbert Ecker and Ulrike Kappacher are these 4 people who developped the Bodenkoffer and who are still in regular contact for further improvement

Presentation of the project

Soil health and sustainable soil use are becoming increasingly important for the production of regional and high-quality products. The soil’s capacity to store carbon and water has a positive impact on nature and climate. The healthier, the looser and the more revitalised agricultural land is, in turn, the less fertilizer is needed. As a result, there is also a higher crop harvest. 

Across Europe, there is a high demand for tools and opportunities to raise awareness about soil and sustainable soil management. It is important to inform the general population about agricultural issues in an understandable way. In particular, farmers who pay close attention to their soil are better able to cope with weather fluctuations and long periods of dry weather. 

To help farmers and the general public to learn more about their soil, the project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase, soil-kit) was developed by a team in the LEADER region of “Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal”. An assessment toolbox with an app, known as « Bodenkoffer » was created. The tool enabled numerous farmers to independently carry out the analysis of their agricultural soils and green areas. Chemical, biological and technical analysis methods are used to examine the soil in 10 stations with the soil-kit. The data from the analyses can subsequently be recorded digitally via a smartphone app or written down in the enclosed instruction book. The evaluation of the results is available immediately after the data has been transmitted. An individually developed course programme was offered to the farmers for a correct use of the soil-suitcase. The course programme was carried out by 15 to 20 soil ambassadors of the region in small groups on site. 

Through the developed soil-kit with app, farmers received professional tools to be able to analyze their agricultural fields and green areas of the region independently. 

Location: 

The project is located in the LAG Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal, Austria, UpperAustria, 5280 Braunau am Inn – but now after 3 years there are 300 soil-suitcases being used in many LEADER regions in Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and El Salvador. 

Elements of context : 

To see how the Bodenkoffer « soil-suitcase » works please go to : www.bodenkoffer.at – here you can see videos to all 10 steps and what the purpose of every single step is. 

Objectives : 

The project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase) aims to help farmers to gain a better understanding of their soils. The importance of sustainable and soil-friendly farming for the future should be strengthened. 

Target groups of the project are farmers who want to improve their agricultural land and green areas and interested people who want to become soil ambassadors in the region. In addition, the general population is regularly informed about the project and its progress. This should enabled by accompanying public relations measures. The aim here is to raise people’s awareness and sensitivity to the importance of sustainable soil farming. 

The better a farmer knows his soil, the better he can respond to environmental extremes and reduce pesticides and fertilizers while still producing a high crop output. 

Actual or expected outputs : 

The project has increased awareness of soil health. 

Furthermore, the project « Bodenkoffer » (soil-suitcase) has shown positive effects in dealing with natural resources and the cultural heritage. The project ensures the preservation of small-scale agriculture. Maintaining small-scale agriculture is important for the preservation of diversity in production and the responsible use of resources. 

240 soil-suitcases are being used in Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and El Salvador. The developed tool has been adopted by other LEADER regions, including the LEADER region « Mitten im Innviertel », « Sauwald-Pramtal » and « Mühlviertler Alm ». Organisations in the field of regional development and nature-climate protection such as « REGIS Raeticon » and « KLAR Gölsental » are using the tool as well. The soil-kit is also used in many agricultural schools in Upper Austria, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol and Bavaria. For example, a graduate of an agricultural school brought a soil-suitcase to South America for her voluntary social year in 2022. At the Burghausen-University-Campus, the soil-suitcase is also used in classes. 

The role of LEADER in the project (funding, support, networking, etc.) : 

BR Ferdinand Tiefnig as the former chairman of the LEADER-region Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal asked the team if it could be possible to start a project for soil-health. 

After several meetings 4 people were found who started to develop their idea of a Bodenkoffer-soil suitcase. DI Hermann Pennwieser, DI Elisabeth Murauer, Norbert Ecker and Ulrike Kappacher are these 4 people who developped the Bodenkoffer and who are still in regular contact for further improvement.  

Emblematic character of the project

Why is this project a priority for LEADER in your strategy? 

The Bodenkoffer-Soil-Suitcase is perfect for our rural developement – all the farmers in our LEADER-region can rent the Bodenkoffer and work with it. It is also an important project for our environment. If the farmers have a good knowledge of their soil and if they know how to treat it right they can save plant protection products and fertilizers. 

How did the project address a major challenge in your strategy (e.g. demographic change, environmental issues, social issues)? 

The Bodenkoffer addresses our strategy in several issues as nature protection, village development, education, local supply, economy and agriculture. 

How could the project be transferred to other LAGs? 

The project of the Bodenkoffers/Soil-Suitcase have already been transferred to other LAGs like: 

LEADER-region « Mitten im Innviertel », « Sauwald-Pramtal » and « Mühlviertler Alm ». Organisations in the field of regional development and nature-climate protection such as « REGIS Raeticon » and « KLAR Gölsental » are using the tool as well.  

LAGs in Bavaria like LEADER-Rottal-Inn as well as in more than 10 offices of Food, Agriculture and Forestry which belong to the Bavarian State Ministry. 

The soil-kit is also used in many agricultural schools in Upper Austria, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol and Bavaria. For example, a graduate of an agricultural school brought a soil-suitcase to South America for her voluntary social year in 2022. At the Burghausen-University-Campus, the soil-suitcase is also used in classes. 

Pictures

BR Ferdinand Tiefnig 

LEADER Oberinnviertel-Mattigtal 

Austria – Upper Austria