WHEATWATCHER

On March 11th, teams from Tel Aviv University and Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), with the participation of teams from the pilot sites (Ghent University, ena Development Consultants, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences and Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation), came together (virtually!) to coordinate efforts for Task 3.2: Proximal Sensing of Contaminated Soil — a key activity in building a spectral soil library to detect contaminants like TPH, cadmium, salinity, and sodium chloride. This isn’t just lab work — it’s science designed to scale. By developing spectral models using both real and synthetic soil samples, we’re laying the groundwork for detecting contamination not only in the field, but eventually via satellite imagery. It's an ambitious step toward enabling region-scale soil monitoring in the future. Huge thanks to our colleagues at CZU and TAU for leading the way and fostering open, detailed collaboration. Exciting science is on the horizon!Stay up to date with all our latest progress! Sign up to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3QKTcpH Hahn-Schickard | Exobotic Technologies | Weizmann Institute of Science Careers | CRA-W Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques | University of Rostock | Soil Protection | VDU ?em?s ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy | Hochschule für Technik und Umwelt FHNW #WHEATWATCHER #SoilHealth #SpectralLibrary #PrecisionAgriculture #SoilContamination #RemoteSensing #AgriInnovation #HorizonEurope

?? EUSO Annual Report 2024: Insights on Soil Health & Policy Progress Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security. The latest EUSO Annual Report 2024 highlights key advancements in soil monitoring, policy support, and scientific research across Europe.?? ?? Key Highlights: ?? Progress on the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 & Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive ?? Launch of the State of Soils in Europe report in collaboration with the European Environment Agency ?? Updates to the Soil Degradation Dashboard and new EU Soil Strategy Actions Tracker ?? Growth of the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), adding 15 new datasets and expanding access to crucial soil data ?? Engagement with stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers to drive soil health initiatives ?? Explore the full report here: ?? https://bit.ly/4iRkZkr EU Science, Research and Innovation | European Research Executive Agency (REA) #SoilHealth #SustainableAgriculture #EUSO #SoilMonitoring #SoilData #WHEATWATCHER

Protecting Our Water Starts with Healthy Soil! Water is our planet’s most valuable resource, and healthy soil plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving it! ?? ?? Soil acts as a natural filter, removing pollutants and improving water quality ?? Healthy soil absorbs and stores rainwater, reducing drought and preventing floods ?? Sustainable farming practices protect soil and water, ensuring long-term food security #WHEATWATCHER celebrates Worl Water Day by pointing out that it's main objective is to improve soil health through innovation, because healthy soil means cleaner water, stronger crops, and a more sustainable future. ?? What’s one small step you take to protect water in your daily life? Share in the comments! ?? #WorldWaterDay #SoilAndWater #WaterSustainability #SoilHealth #ClimateResilience

#WHEATWATCHER Newsletter is Out! Our newest edition of the WHEATWATCHER Newsletter is here! Stay informed on the latest developments in soil health, sustainable agriculture, and cutting-edge monitoring technologies. Don’t miss out—read the latest issue now and stay connected with our growing community of researchers, farmers, and industry leaders. ?? Read it here: https://bit.ly/4c4t2bl #soilmission #newsletter #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth #Innovation

Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable farming, resilient ecosystems, and food security. By following key soil health principles, we can protect and restore this essential resource for future generations. 4 Principles for Healthier Soils: ? Minimize Soil Disturbance – Reduce tillage and limit chemical inputs to protect soil structure and microbial life. ? Maximize Soil Cover – Keep the soil covered year-round with cover crops or organic mulch to prevent erosion and retain moisture. ? Increase Biodiversity – Diversify crop rotations and plant species to improve soil resilience and nutrient cycling. ? Maintain Living Roots – Keep living plants in the soil as long as possible to support microbial activity and soil stability. At #WHEATWATCHER, we promote science-driven solutions to support soil health, sustainable farming, and precision agriculture. Let's work together to protect our soils! ?? Follow WHEATWATCHER to stay updated on our progress! #SoilHealth #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #HealthySoils

?? ?? Exciting Job Opportunities in WHEATWATCHER! Project partners are looking for talented professionals to join the WHEATWATCHER project. Two of our partners are offering exciting career opportunities—could one of them be your next step? ?? Open Positions: (1) Research Associate in Embedded Systems and Internet of Things at [Hochschule für Technik und Umwelt FHNW] – https://lnkd.in/d86Ty4j3 (2) PhD candidate to develop innovative sensing approaches for soil and plant health monitoring at [Czech University of Life Sciences Prague] – https://bit.ly/3DKiKk3 ?? Don’t miss the chance to be part of a project shaping the future of agriculture and soil health! Asa Gholizadeh | Gerd Simons #Hiring #WHEATWATCHER #JobOpportunity #PrecisionAgriculture #SoilHealth #Sustainableagriculture

?? Smart Decision-Making for Sustainable Farming – Work Package 5 in WHEATWATCHER To enhance sustainable soil management, decision-making needs to be data-driven and precise. Work Package 5 (WP5), led by the University of Rostock (UROS), focuses on developing an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) to help farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders make informed choices about soil cultivation, fertilization, and plant protection. ?? Key Objectives of WP5: ? Cloud-Based Data Integration – A platform to process and analyze soil and crop data in real-time. ? Crop Growth Modeling (CGM) – Predictive models to assess the impact of soil conditions on wheat growth. ? Decision Support System (DSS) – A tool to provide smart recommendations for improving soil health and sustainability. ? Field Validation – Testing and refining the DSS at pilot sites across Europe to ensure accuracy and usability. By combining remote sensing, field data, and machine learning, WP5 will empower farmers with real-time insights, ensuring healthier soils, efficient resource use, and more resilient food production. ???? ?? Follow WHEATWATCHER to stay updated on our progress! #WHEATWATCHER #SustainableFarming #PrecisionAgriculture #SoilHealth #DataDrivenFarming

?? WHEATWATCHER - the vision behind the project ?? Interview series: Revolutionising Soil Health Monitoring for Sustainable Agriculture Soil is the foundation of our food systems, yet it faces degradation, contamination, and climate-related stressors that threaten agriculture and food security. WHEATWATCHER was created to tackle these challenges through digital monitoring solutions. ??? Watch Prof. Abdul Mouazen sharing the inspiration behind WHEATWATCHER and how it aims to revolutionise soil health management and sustainable wheat production. ?? Watch the interview on YouTube https://lnkd.in/dTYEKai8!! Ghent University | Hahn-Schickard | Exobotic Technologies | Tel Aviv University | Weizmann Institute of Science Careers | Czech University of Life Sciences Prague | GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences | CRA-W Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques | University of Rostock | Soil Protection | ena Development Consultants | Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation | VDU ?em?s ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy | Hochschule für Technik und Umwelt FHNW #WHEATWATCHER #SoilHealth #SustainableAgriculture #PrecisionFarming #HorizonEurope #MissionSoil #soilmission

The #WHEATWATCHER project is setting up four pilot sites across Belgium, Greece, Poland, and Germany to test and refine innovative soil monitoring platforms. These sites will help us understand how soil nutrients, crops, and environmental stressors (like chemicals and biological factors) interact, providing accurate data to support better farming decisions and safer food production. Each pilot site will also collect local insights—including farmer observations, weather data, and historical trends—to ensure our monitoring system is as accurate and effective as possible. Let's explore how each location is making a difference! ?? Poland ???? – Combatting Heavy Metal & Pesticide Contamination ?? Location: Silesia, Poland Focus: Assessing soil contamination levels from heavy metals, industrial pollutants, and pesticides. ?? Why it Matters? Contaminated soils pose a major risk to food safety and agricultural productivity. This pilot site will develop risk assessment models and remediation techniques to restore farmland health. ?? Technology: AI-powered soil analysis, spectroscopic sensors, and bio-remediation approaches.?? Protecting soil means protecting our food! Let’s work towards safer, cleaner agriculture! Do you want to know more about our pilot sites? Check out https://lnkd.in/dGeBAaKs #MissionSoil #SoilScience #WHEATWATCHERPilotsites #SoilMonitoring

Τoday, on International Women’s Day, we honor the women shaping the future of sustainable agriculture, soil science, and environmental innovation! ?? From scientists and researchers developing cutting-edge soil monitoring solutions to farmers and policymakers driving sustainable food systems, women play a crucial role in protecting our planet and ensuring food security. ?? Women in soil science are leading research on soil health and climate resilience ?? Women in farming are adopting regenerative agriculture and digital tools to enhance productivity ?? Women in policy are shaping the future of sustainable land management At #WHEATWATCHER, we celebrate the women in our project and beyond who are making agriculture more innovative, inclusive, and resilient. Today, let’s commit to empowering and supporting more women in STEM, agriculture, and sustainability! ?? Tag a woman in science or agriculture who inspires you! Let’s amplify their impact together! ?? #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScienc #WomenInAgriculture #SoilHealth #soilmission