European Agricultural Advisors Gather to Strengthen Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

A Timely Theme

The conference focused on the evolving role of agricultural advisory services under the theme "Tailored Learning and Leadership to Empower Youth, with a Focus on Women in Agriculture". Particular attention was given to the inclusion of young people and women in agriculture, leadership development, knowledge transfer, innovation support, and the future of advisory services in a rapidly changing agricultural environment. These themes align closely with ongoing European efforts to strengthen rural communities, encourage generational renewal, and improve the accessibility of learning opportunities for farmers and rural stakeholders.

European agriculture is undergoing profound transformation driven by climate change, market volatility, digitalization and evolving societal expectations. One of the central challenges advisory services face is the gap between innovation and adoption — while research and technological development continue to advance, many solutions do not reach farmers in a form that is usable, trusted and applicable in real farm conditions. Advisory services are essential in bridging this gap, working closely with farmers to co-create solutions and ensure that innovation translates into real impact on the ground.

Opening the Conference

The conference opened with welcoming addresses from the leaders of the organizing networks:

• Dr. Jože Podgoršek, President of CAFS, highlighted the role of advisors as a bridge between research, policy and everyday work on farms, and underlined Slovenia's commitment to supporting young people in farm succession and women in agricultural decision-making.

• Dr. Slađan Stanković, President of SEASN, emphasized the network's responsibility in supporting advisory capacity across both EU Member States and EU accession countries in Southeastern Europe.

• Regine Wiesend, President of IALB, welcomed participants to the 65th edition of the IALB Annual Conference.

• Rui Almeida, President of EUFRAS, reflected on the network's commitment to strengthening advisory services and announced the presentation of a EUFRAS position paper calling for the strong recognition of advisory services as a core element of AKIS within the future Common Agricultural Policy.

Plenary Sessions and Key Topics

The plenary program brought together leading voices on the most pressing issues facing European agriculture and advisory systems, including:

• The state of agriculture in Slovenia and Southeast Europe

• Generational renewal and the challenge of farm succession

• The role of agricultural advisors in the new EU CAP and the importance of knowledge transfer

• Challenges in agriculture in Southeast Europe and EU pre-accession countries

• Perspectives from young farmers and rural women's organizations

EUFRAS Position Paper

Another key moment of the conference was the presentation of EUFRAS position paper calling for strong recognition of agricultural advisory services within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems. Current discussions on the future of the CAP raise important questions about the role and positioning of advisory services — changes in policy architecture may create new opportunities, but also bring risks in terms of visibility, prioritization and long-term support.

The position paper sets out six key recommendations for post-2027 policies. At its core, EUFRAS calls for dedicated and ring-fenced funding for advisory services and for their formal recognition as a core element of AKIS. Beyond funding and recognition, the paper emphasizes the need to strengthen the long-term capacity of advisory services, invest in the skills and qualifications of advisors, and incentivize interactive innovation and multi-actor approaches that connect advisors, farmers, researchers and other stakeholders. Finally, the position paper stresses the importance of safeguarding the independence and neutrality of advisory services — a fundamental condition for maintaining farmer trust and delivering impartial, high-quality advice.

EUFRAS calls for ensuring stable support and clear positioning for advisory services across Europe, so they can continue to deliver value to farmers and contribute to resilient agricultural systems.

Workshops, Field Visits and Young EUFRAS

Throughout the conference, participants shared practical experiences, examples of good practice, and innovative advisory approaches from different countries. Interactive workshops encouraged dialogue and collaboration, while field visits provided valuable insights into local agricultural initiatives and successful examples of innovation in practice.

The conference also reaffirmed EUFRAS's commitment to generational renewal through the Young EUFRAS initiative, which actively promotes the involvement of young advisors and supports the next generation of professionals in shaping the future of agriculture and rural areas across Europe.

Looking Ahead

The event reinforced the importance of international cooperation among advisory organizations and highlighted the crucial role advisors play as facilitators of innovation, learning and collaboration within the agricultural sector. The strong participation and active exchange of ideas demonstrated the continued commitment of European advisory services to supporting farmers and rural communities through knowledge, innovation and partnership.

EUFRAS would like to thank the organizers, speakers, workshop facilitators, sponsors, and all participants for contributing to a successful and inspiring event.

Save the Date — 2027 Conference

As the conference drew to a close, participants were warmly invited to next year's joint conference, which will take place 21–24 June 2027 in Innsbruck, Austria (Tyrol), hosted at the Hotel School Villa Blanka. The theme “Agriculture NEEDS ALLIES — Diversification and Quality Production Lead to Business Success" — promises a rich and forward-looking program. We look forward to welcoming the European advisory community to Innsbruck and continuing the conversation.

All conference presentations, workshop summaries, position paper, photographs, and other conference materials will be made available soon on the conference webpage. We encourage all participants and interested stakeholders to visit regularly for updates and access to these resources.

European Agricultural Advisors Gather to Strengthen Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

15th EUFRAS Conference | 65th IALB Conference | 12th SEASN Conference 16–18 June 2026 | Hotel Radin, Radenci, Slovenia

Last week, agricultural advisors, researchers, policy experts, and representatives of advisory organizations from across Europe came together in Radenci, Slovenia, for the joint 15th EUFRAS, 65th IALB and 12th SEASN Conference, hosted by the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS/KGZS) in cooperation with the SEASN network.

The event provided an important platform for exchanging experiences, discussing current challenges facing European agriculture, and exploring innovative approaches to advisory services. Participants engaged in plenary sessions, thematic workshops, field visits, and networking activities designed to strengthen cooperation among advisory organisations and support the development of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) across Europe.