In spring 2025, an exciting joint demonstration brought together two LIFE projects—LIFE CO2SAND and our own SoilLifeBoats—on the sandy soils of Jełowa, in the Opole region of Poland. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase innovative soil improvement techniques to local farmers, agronomists, and other stakeholders working with challenging soil conditions.
The demonstration took place on a maize field located in a region well known for its sandy, low-retention soils—conditions that are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. To tackle this, we tested two complementary soil amendment strategies:
- On one part of the field, we applied clay sourced from the ceramic industry, following the clay-in-sand method developed by LIFE CO2SAND. This approach aims to improve the soil’s structure, water retention, and fertility—boosting its resilience to both drought and heavy rainfall.
- On another part, the SoilLifeBoats team applied our Rock Cellulose Granules and NPK-impregnated willow wood sticks—a circular solution designed to enhance soil fertility, water storage, and long-term carbon inputs.
Before the amendments were applied, we collected soil samples for analysis. These were sent to a Dutch laboratory to ensure consistent and high-quality evaluation of key parameters like moisture retention, nutrient levels, and organic matter content.
The field demonstration attracted a strong turnout from local farmers and land managers, who had the chance to ask questions, observe the application process up close, and learn about the potential benefits of both techniques. This hands-on event not only promoted our respective projects but also sparked conversations about how to combine different nature-based solutions for soil health.
It was a great example of cross-border collaboration and the power of shared learning. Together, we are building stronger, more climate-resilient soils—one field at a time.