The CAPSELLA Soil Health pilot was presented during the “Let’s cultivate biodiversity 2017” event organised by Rete Semi Rurali at Floriddia Organic farm in Peccioli (Pisa, Italy).

The pilot and in particular the spade-test app were presented to the six groups that took part at the class verte organized on 9th June. During the classe verte the six groups of around 20 participants each (farmers, consultants, policy makers, researchers, interested citizens) were guided in a tour of six workshops that presented the results of the projects in which Rete Semi Rurali has been involved in the last years. We discussed with the participants the concept of soil health and the usefulness of self-evaluation methods to be used on farm without the need of economic resources or the consultation of professionals. Participants, through an example, were guided, question by question, at using CAPSELLA app for spade-test data recording. Great interest was shown by attendees and many of them contributed with ideas for improving the tool. The inputs collected on other aspects of soil health that could be self-monitored by farmers, might be integrated in CAPSELLA tool. The aspects of: effects of mechanical operations, erosion monitoring and use of biological indicators (e.g. weeds, earthworms) were the most mentioned during the day. A higher integration of soil physical and chemical data, when available, was suggested for strengthening the outcomes of spade-test self-evaluation.

The version presented at the class verte was a very early version of the application. The first complete and public version will be presented on 26-27th June at a dedicated workshop with ESAPODA association in Veneto Italy (www.capsella.eu/third-workshop).

For further information on CAPSELLA Soil Health pilot and on the spade-test app, contact our team at Scuola Sant’Anna (contact person Mariateresa Lazzaro, m.lazzaro@santannapisa.it).