Research project ALL TOGETHER

Summary

There is an urgent need to redesign cropping systems to increase their sustainability and resilience and agroecology is identified as a promising approach to reach ambitious goals such as those fixed in the European Green Deal. Temporal and spatial diversification of crops is one of the pillars of agroecology. Agroforestry is one of the most effective agricultural land use pattern for the agro-ecological transition and among the various forms of agroforestry, the combinations of fruit trees and market gardening is one of the most complex agroecological systems. To realize the transition to ecological agriculture, the AgroEcology partnership focuses specifically on the development of “living labs” and research infrastructure.

The 3-year project ALL TOGETHER brings together farmers, researchers, students, actors from value-chains, policy makers, consumers with a shared objective to i) validate agro-ecological systems and practices, ii) stimulate exchanges and iii) accelerate the adoption of agroecological practices in the horticulture sector. A network of 15 existing living labs from 7 countries on a European North-South gradient (Sweden, Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria) focuses on mixed fruit trees-vegetable systems. This agro-ecological system is known for its ability to deliver ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, soil structure enhancement, food and habitat for functional biodiversity, water quality enhancement and reduction in nutrient leaching, etc., while enhancing revenues and providing positive social impacts. With each living lab demonstrating its own combination of mixed fruit trees and vegetables systems, together they provide an excellent model to test, measure, adapt, and train for key components needed to accelerate the adoption of agro-ecological practices.

The project will take into account existing lock-ins for the transition of the horticulture sector toward agroecological systems as perceived by various actors. It will also provide clear evidence of benefits and risks based on technical data and shared experiences within the network of LLs. The project will foster “cross fertilization” within and between living labs to benefit from synergy and identify trade-offs between different ways of crop diversification, between farm/territory and value-chain drivers. Also, learning programs will be developed and continued training in agro-ecology in Europe ensured notably within The Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS). The work is divided into 6 work packages: Co-design, test and monitor mixed fruit trees-vegetable systems on existing real-life situations and mobilizing relevant local actors through a multi-actor approach (WP1), Enhance understanding of the benefits and trade-offs in mixed fruit trees-vegetable systems (WP2), Adapt and expand tools to design and assess mixed fruit trees-vegetable (WP3), Create innovative education tools and strengthen existing networks to foster training and education on agro-ecology (WP4), and finally analyse policies and make recommendations at the national and European level (WP5). WP6 is dedicated to a wide dissemination for different target groups. WP7 concerns the coordination and management including data management and ethic issues.