When asked about this year’s Annual Science Days, Saskia Visser, strategic advisor to the European Joint Programme Soil (EJP Soil), emphasises the vision of taking science beyond research institues and into the real world.

With two days of a packed and ambitious programme, the event promises to be unforgettable. It will bring together scientists, policymakers, farmers and investors from across Europe to explore and apply the results of soil research projects. The ambition is nothing less than to chart a course for the future of soil health – spanning science, policy and land management.

According to Saskia Visser, one of the event’s key architects, the focus this year is on turning science into practice.

“The work of EJP Soil is far from over. We need to interpret the data, translate it into practical management strategies, and ensure our results continue to shape European policy and agriculture,” she explains, noting that EJP Soil officially concluded in January 2025.

Following its conclusion, the EJP Soil consortium partners committed to continuing, strengthening and expanding the network built up over the past five years, pursuing ongoing results, and hosting another of the legendary Annual Science Days — a crucial and indispensable part of the programme.

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Visionary Dialogue: Looking Back from 2040

A highlight of this year's programme is a panel session described by Saskia Visser as a “visionary dialogue.” Speakers will be invited to imagine themselves in the year 2040, reflecting on how today’s soil science and policy have evolved. The session will interweave perspectives from science, policy, business and farming — emphasising the complex nature of soil challenges and solutions.

“Soil challenges are complex, and change demands knowledge, research, new technology and long-term investment. A shared vision of where we are heading will help us identify the steps required,” says Saskia Visser.

She hopes to welcome investors, philanthropic organisations, agricultural and political advisers, as well as farmers, who play a vital role in validating and applying research on the ground.

In particular, Saskia Visser wants to place businesses and farmers at the forefront. They can be an integral part of future research projects, providing access to real-world data and testing and validating results.

Long-Lasting Network and a Call for Impact

Further developing the network formed among soil scientists during the EJP Soil years remains a shared vision. Previous Annual Science Days have strengthened relationships across disciplines and borders, and Saskia Visser hopes more people will join in building a long-lasting network.

“The Soil Mission is laying the foundations, but we must ensure our network remains strong into 2040 and beyond,” she says, highlighting the potential for young researchers to be involved from the outset, working with farmers and international peers.

As a final feature, the Annual Science Days have launched a call for ideas — inviting researchers to propose ways to increase the impact of their work.

“We want this to be more than just a gathering. It’s an opportunity for scientists to integrate their work into the network and contribute to soil health across Europe.”

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As Europe faces mounting challenges and transitions to reliable and sustainable food systems, healthy soils are no longer a niche concern — they are a shared mission. The 2025 Annual Science Days will not only celebrate what has been achieved but will also serve as a springboard for the work still ahead.