Welcome to our ‘Behind the Scenes’ podcasts dedicated to EU research and innovation. In this series, journalist Jennifer Baker spends time with some of Europe’s most brilliant scientists and innovators, whose discoveries are having a lasting and important impact on our daily lives.
From Atlantic ocean health checks, pioneering cancer vaccines and quantum computing games to zero-waste houses, new-breed organic farming, and recycling textile. These and other compelling stories await listeners in our latest pods.
Earlier in the series to celebrate the annual Research & Innovation Days we explored everything from the inner-secrets of biophysics, fungal architectures, robotics and automatic control, and we ventured to the outer-reaches of Arctic research, radio astronomy, and computer engineering.
Behind the Scenes SEASON TWO brings you inspiring science but also the stories and journeys of the people behind them.
This podcast series is an initiative of the European Commission. It brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate and shape the future of Research and Innovation in Europe and beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to our ‘Behind the Scenes’ podcasts dedicated to EU research and innovation. In this series, journalist Jennifer Baker spends time with some of Europe’s most brilliant scientists and innovators, whose discoveries are having a lasting and important impact on our daily lives.
From Atlantic ocean health checks, pioneering cancer vaccines and quantum computing games to zero-waste houses, new-breed organic farming, and recycling textile. These and other compelling stories await listeners in our latest pods.
Earlier in the series to celebrate the annual Research & Innovation Days we explored everything from the inner-secrets of biophysics, fungal architectures, robotics and automatic control, and we ventured to the outer-reaches of Arctic research, radio astronomy, and computer engineering.
Behind the Scenes SEASON TWO brings you inspiring science but also the stories and journeys of the people behind them.
This podcast series is an initiative of the European Commission. It brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate and shape the future of Research and Innovation in Europe and beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the fifth episode of season two, journalist Jennifer Baker talks to the Austrian organic farmer and entrepreneur Alfred Grand who today is a member of several high-level EU and national actions for improving agri-businesses and soil health. From dreaming of racing motorbikes to producing wine, he started the ‘Lower Austrian Worm Composting System for Schools and Kindergartens’ to raise awareness of natural fertilising, which garnered a UNESCO prize. His businesses and career as a “rare worm breeder” (and advocate) blossomed from there. Alfred is also member of the Board of the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe”.
Soils are the basis of 95% of our food and provide other essential ecosystem services such as clean water, biodiversity and climate regulation. Yet 60-70% of soils in the EU are in a poor state, and about 70% of agricultural land shows excess levels of nutrients affecting water quality and biodiversity.
Sustainable land management practices that safeguard soils are vital to a healthy planet and people. Alfred’s business venture, Vermigrand Naturprodukte, produces his branded ‘Biohumus’ fertiliser and peat-free soil substrates with the help of humble worms. He also runs a 90-hectare research pilot project (Grand Farm) to demonstrate sustainable soil health, agroforestry and market gardening practices. The farm is one of a dozen in the Dutch-led Global Lighthouse Farming Network for future-proof farming systems.
Find out more:
· Read more on the EU Mission A Soil Deal for Europe
· Learn about Vermigrand’s ‘hot rotting’ earthworm composting
· Read about the Global Lighthouse Farming Network
· Take a virtual visit of Grand Farm
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.