SOIL MASTER Project

To create an Innovation Hub dedicated to the farmers of Emilia-Romagna, with a specific focus on agricultural enterprises in the western part of the region.
The Hub will serve as a stable and interactive reference point to support farms in adopting agroecological practices and in accessing carbon credits, carbon farming, and carbon credit remuneration in line with the new European regulation (EU Reg. 2024/3012).
The Hub will be a replicable model designed to promote a concrete transition toward a more sustainable, competitive, and territorially connected agriculture, through informational, educational, and advisory tools.

• Help Desk and Idea Incubator (SOIL MASTER):
  Based at the Open Fields headquarters in Parma (see below for details and opening hours), the Hub will serve as a collection point for innovative ideas and as a source of answers on agroecological practices and carbon credits. The help desk will operate for 13–14 months (52 weeks).
• Two Workshops:
  These will provide opportunities for discussion and exchange of ideas and needs among farmers, researchers, and consultants, with in-depth sessions on agroecology and carbon credits, as well as integrated consultancy activities for businesses.
• In-person Training Event:
  Meetings will be held at selected farms willing to act as reference points, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices among farmers.

• Build an integrated and permanent knowledge system, connecting farmers, technicians, research bodies, and institutions to share experiences, needs, and innovative solutions.
• Strengthen farmers’ skills and awareness, fostering the development of knowledgeable and motivated individuals capable of seizing the opportunities offered by evolving regulations and emerging green markets.
• Spread sustainable and measurable farming practices, based on the principles of agroecology and carbon farming, generating replicable examples of success across the territory.
• Enhance the role of young farmers as key players in cultural and environmental change, renewing the image of agriculture as an innovative and socially valuable activity.
• Increase the competitiveness of Italian agri-food products, integrating new environmental and social values into agricultural products to raise perceived quality and competitive advantage in international markets.

ASIPO will make a significant contribution to sharing expertise, disseminating information, and engaging potential participants in project initiatives, involving its members – agricultural companies producing processing tomatoes.

Open Fields, University of Parma, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Azienda Agraria Sperimentale Stuard, Confagricoltura Emilia-Romagna, OI Pomodoro da Industria Nord Italia, A.In.P.O., As.I.P.O., Federbio Servizi, Facilitazioni Agroecologiche Regionali Mobili (FARM).

From 10/09/2025 to 10/03/2027.

• Budget: €67,235.17
• Total Contribution: €67,235.17

Intervention SRG09 – Cooperation for support actions for innovation and services aimed at the agricultural, forestry, and agri-food sectors – Co PSR Emilia-Romagna Region 2023–2027.