"Spring Scientific" is an educational YouTube channel dedicated to exploring soil health, agriculture, and sustainable farming practices. The channel was established to serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding soil ecosystems, crop cultivation, and the science behind sustainable agriculture. Our mission is to bridge the knowledge gap by delivering well-researched, easy-to-understand content that promotes best practices in soil management and agriculture.

Our video library includes various formats like daily shorts ("365 Facts in 365 Days") that provide quick, intriguing facts about soil, as well as an educational cartoon storytelling series that creatively explains complex topics like soil fertility, nutrient management, and climate-smart agriculture. These resources help viewers understand the importance of soil health and its direct impact on food production and environmental sustainability.

Highlights

YouTube Channel

Key Series: "365 Facts in 365 Days"

Educational Cartoon Storytelling Series: "Soil Health & Farming Essentials"

Rangelands in East Africa represent vast areas, providing livelihoods for millions of people and for a wide range of wildlife species. However, many of these rangelands are highly degraded and there is a need for restoration of the productivity of these ecosystems to ensure that they continue to provide critical ecosystem services. There are significant opportunities for increased carbon storage in rangelands as they have the potential to store significant amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) if well managed, particularly given their spatial extent. In addition, the restoration of degraded rangelands represents a critical pathway for conservation by reducing current pressures on protected areas due to land degradation and increased competition for resources. Healthy rangelands are important for local livelihoods as they provide income from livestock as well as tourism.

This project aims to provide a robust evidence base for sustainable management of rangeland health, informing management and monitoring by making this evidence available through user-friendly tools and platforms. This also includes dedicated capacity development modules targeted at women and youth. This enhances the adaptive management of rangelands in the region, which is critical for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Through the restoration of rangeland health and a diversification of livelihood options, poverty will be reduced, and local capacity will be developed to improve rangeland health. Access to spatially explicit evidence on key indicators of rangeland health, including context-specific management options will be designed for each landscape, integrating both livestock and wildlife management and taking into consideration socio-economic context and gender dynamics. 

The increasing reliance on chemical pesticides poses severe risks to both human health and the environment. Pesticides contaminate soil, water, and air, and their misuse has led to a decline in soil fertility, biodiversity, and public health. Organic solutions, particularly organic manure, offer a sustainable alternative to harmful chemicals. This youth-led project aims to raise awareness in schools and communities in Nepal about the negative effects of pesticide use and the benefits of transitioning to organic practices for soil health and crop sustainability.

The project consists of three major components:

i) Surveys: Conducting surveys to know the status of the community regarding the use of chemical pesticides

ii) Awareness Campaigns: Conducting educational campaigns in schools and rural communities to promote awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides and the advantages of organic manure.

ii) Hands-On Training: Organizing a series of practical training workshops in communities for creating organic manure, and empowering people with the knowledge and skills to reduce pesticide usage.

Activities

i) Survey & Data Collection: Conduct surveys in targeted rural areas to gather information on the perception and usage of chemical pesticides and organic alternatives. This data will inform the awareness campaign and training sessions.

ii) School Campaigns: Educational workshops will be conducted in schools to raise awareness among students about the harmful effects of pesticides on soil and human health. The students will be encouraged to spread the knowledge to their families and communities.

iii) Community Workshops: A community event will be held, where various stakeholders, including local farmers, agricultural experts, and community leaders, will gather for a grand session on organic manure production. This event will promote organic farming on a broader scale.

PxD's Digital Agricultural Advisory Services (DAAS) model provides tailored, digital information to smallholder farmers in the Global South, optimizing productivity, income, and environmental sustainability. This model integrates good agricultural practices (GAP), like soil health strategies, and offers real-time services like weather forecasting and connects farmers to vital resources such as agricultural loans and carbon markets. Research shows that these mobile phone-based services can significantly increase the adoption of optimized farming practices, enhancing productivity, yields and environmental sustainability.

Farmers are on the front lines of climate change. They must adapt to the changing weather now, and keep their land sustainable for generations to come.

Smallholder farmers contribute little to climate change but are some of the worst impacted. Their entire livelihood is often dependent on rainfall and an acre or two of land. Over 2 billion people rely on smallholder farms for food and income. Despite that, less than 2% of global climate finance aids these farmers in adapting to climate change.

This is not a hypothetical future risk; it is a reality they are facing today. Smallholder farmers are witnessing devastating impacts on their crops, yields, diets, and families.

Our 10-year climate strategy supports smallholder farmers to build a prosperous future despite a changing climate. Tailored climate-smart farming trainings and quality inputs (including optimal seed choices) increase crop yields and diversity, bolstering incomes while tackling climate-related challenges like pests and extreme weather. And products like crop insurance help provide protection when disaster strikes.

And One Acre Fund farmers are at the forefront of one of the largest tree-planting efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2021, 2 million farmers planted 40 million trees, and we are positioned to plant 1 billion trees by 2030.

The Farm of Francesco was born out of the Economy of Francesco process. On May 1st 2019, Pope Francis invited Young People from all around the world to meet with him in Assisi and give soul to the economy. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic postponing the meeting by two years, Young People have responded, and the work set off in early 2020.

As part of the Economy of Francesco's Agriculture and Justice Village, a group of 15 people all connected and passionate about agriculture, set off working together on creating and implementing a business solution to respond to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor. This is how the Farm of Francesco was born. We deliver impact through our proprietary two-fold model consisting of:

• The Transformational Farmer Training Program,

• Opportunities for Farmer Leaders to bring their voices to the key global processes.

Testing our model in 2022, we are delighted to report that 2023 was our year of impact at scale, as we delivered our Inaugural Farmer Training in Nigeria and joined the COP28 as the Food Systems Pavilion Farmer Co-Host. Those and many more reasons to celebrate are presented in our 2023 Impact Report.

Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) was proud to announce at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2023 meeting, plans for our new Honduras TREE (Training to Expand Ecoagriculture) program in partnership with the Honduran Institute for Professional Development (INFOP). The HondurasTREE program will be based on a successful pilot currently being wrapped up by SHI-Honduras and INFOP. Approximately 40% ($1.8 million) of the $5 million budget for the Honduras TREE program has already been pledged and SHI is now focused on raising the remaining $3.2 million. As one of CGI’s new “Commitment Makers,” SHI will carry out a 3-year program to:

• enable 1,600 smallholders to restore 12,800 acres

• plant 1 million trees

• increase incomes and food security for 8,000 people.

By 2030, SHI aims to scale TREE to multiple countries, transforming 1 million smallholder farming families’ lives through the regeneration of 8 million acres of degraded land, planting 1 billion trees and sequestering 16 million tons of CO2. Collectively, smallholder farmers hold the power to significantly impact the global climate. If all 500 million smallholder farms transition to regenerative practices, they could sequester 8 gigatons of CO2 per year (53% of the total change needed from emission reductions and sequestration).

SOILS-Space to Place (SOILS-S2P) is an innovative strategy for addressing global food security and soil health issues. Funded by the American people through the USAID Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, SOILS-S2P highlights a model of collaboration and forward-thinking approaches. The initiative supports collaboration among research- and development-minded public and private partners, including national and international organizations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

SOILS-S2P connects advanced technology, like GIS-based data, with local knowledge, empowering communities to make informed decisions regarding soil health and agricultural practices. The remarkable results achieved, including yield increases of 40-200% and substantial reductions in fertilizer wastage, underscore this approach’s effectiveness.

Its potential for global scalability sets SOILS-S2P apart. The initiative demonstrates how we can collectively address multifaceted challenges from the impacts of crises, conflicts, and climate change, by fostering collaboration and implementing innovative solutions.

Réseau International de Management (RIMA) is a local NGO from Cote d'Ivoire who are representing the country in the Global Soil Doctors Programme through the Global Soils Partnership. The programme is a farmer-to-farmer training initiative that is offered on an online platform to build the capacity of farmers in sustainable soil management and supports national governments and stakeholders connect with rural communities.

RIMA has already seen great interest within the agricultural communities they work.

The main goal of the One Million Trees Project is to plant one million trees per constituency in Uganda through Conservation Forestry, Agroforestry, and Urban Forestry to restore degraded land. By planting indigenous trees and fruit trees on protected land and private farms, the project aims to increase overall forest cover in Uganda.

An example under Conservation Forestry is the Kazogo Pocket Forest Restoration Project which plants indigenous trees on degraded lands through carbon credit system funding. This is the One Million Trees Project’s primary answer to contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021/30, working alongside the Government of Uganda, through the National Forestry Authority.

In Urban Forestry, t he project is planting roadside trees to increase tree cover as nature-based infrastructure for sustainable development and climate adaptation. This is implemented in partnership with the Uganda National Roads Authority on the Nyakahita-Kazo-Ibanda-Kamwenge-Fortportal Road which stretches 207 km.

Agri-Impact Malawi aligns the objectives and outcomes of sustainable food production systems, landscape restoration and environmental conservation to support transformation for rural household food and nutrition security and livelihood generation.

Agri-impact has three flagship initiatives:

1) Household Nutrition & Economic Empowerment Through Vegetable Production, Value Addition and Marketing (NEVAM) Project

2) Uncovering the Economic Benefits for Local Communities Through Landscape Restoration and Management in Malawi (GLFx Project)

3) Strengthening Resilient School Communities

The NATI00NS project is supporting the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe, by preparing regional and national stakeholders to apply for and implement soil health Living Labs and Lighthouses to demonstrate practices and and lead the European transition towards healthy soils by 2030.

NATI00NS serves as a connector between stakeholders and the learning lab process by supporting them in the application process and facilitating matchmaking with other relevant stakeholders to align and combine efforts.

17 is a leading consulting firm dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and finance. Our mission is to create a better future by aligning financial and business strategies with sustainable principles and values. Our expertise lies in three key areas: improving farmers' livelihoods, access to markets and finance.

We advocate for multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive the adoption and scaling of global mechanisms and processes that guide and catalyse public and private sector investments in soil health. 17 aims to integrate soil health considerations in policy across the development, environment, and climate change domains, and along value chains.

We believe regenerative agricultural practices can store organic carbon in the soil and mitigate global warming. 17 works with organizations to develop and implement sustainable practices throughout their value chain, from sourcing to production and distribution, to ensure that all stages are sustainable and environmentally responsible.

We aim to increase the number of hectares of land under improved practices for soil health and expand research into soil health practices, monitoring, evaluation, and financial tools and mechanisms. With our commitment to promoting sustainable practices and expertise in sustainable agriculture and finance, 17s is the ideal partner for organizations seeking to drive positive impact through soil health initiatives.

This innovative project is transforming farming practices in Rwanda and Kenya by introducing sustainable techniques that improve soil health, boost crop yields, and increase access to new markets. By supporting smallholder farmers in adopting regenerative agricultural practices and with funding from the IKEA Foundation, SNV’s project is helping to build a more resilient and sustainable food system, while also promoting policy and market system developments that benefit farmers and consumers alike.

Green-Up Solutions aims to bring about a green economy by creating and implementing sustainable green solutions, both in the environment and agriculture sectors. Green-Up Solutions provides inclusive, sustainable, and resilient solutions to environmental issues. We harness the power of innovation and technology to help achieve this and benefit urban/rural communities and farmers.

We address four problems; waste management, agriculture, water, and food. Waste management is a form of climate mitigation as it avoids emissions throughout the lifecycle of materials. Food waste prevention requires a holistic approach through the creation of bio-waste systems that ensure food waste is valorized into fertilizer.

Agricultural soil can be improved through the management of food waste and collection as waste is separated and treated for compost and less residual waste is left to seep into the ground and damage ecosystems.

Food systems play a central role in all societies. It is fundamental to ensure sustainable development concepts are implemented. Sustainable food systems are critical to resolving issues of food security, poverty, and the rapidly changing global environment. We are building resilient communities through sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.

The book "We dig it!" beautifully illustrates the importance of healthy soils and soil quality improvement for climate resilience, climate protection, and sustainable food production. It clearly outlines the problems and challenges facing the world's population in the coming years and the impact of soil improvement. Prepared in an understandable way for everyone, the book is a must-read in the fight against climate change.

Dudu Dunia empowers people and households to transform organic waste into rich fertilizer. We believe people with the right tools, the knowledge of composting, and the support and inspiration from a community of composters will bring real change in making their cities cleaner, and greener, enhancing soil biodiversity and health.

Dudu Dunia introduces the soil web to people, so the community understands the beautiful link between soil health and their health. With the vermicomposting and composting systems we have created, we show children and adults how important they are to their own health.

We are giving people an easy tool to take direct action towards their health and the health of the planet!

The government of Andhra Pradesh through Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (A farmer’s empowerment organization) is implementing the Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming programme (APCNF). APCNF is working towards transforming the chemical-based industrialized agricultural system into Agroecological-based Natural farming systems. APCNF is all about farming in harmony with nature and firmly believes that nature has solutions to all kinds of human-induced problems in the agriculture and food sectors. As an alternative to current agriculture practices, APCNF has emerged as a transformational technology.

Cycle to Farms is a project advocating for regenerative farming through documentation of its realities across the European Union, the Middle East and Africa, while cycling from farm to farm.

This initiative is donor-driven and is delivering impactful videos, blogs and messages all along the way.

Drylands Transform investigates the links between land health, livestock-based livelihoods, human well-being, and land management and governance. They contribute new knowledge for transformative change and sustainable development of rangelands in the border region between Kenya and Uganda.

Through strong stakeholder engagement in research, Drylands Transform is exploring the challenges and pathways towards a social-ecological transformation in drylands that optimizes synergies among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) while minimizing the trade-offs.

95% of the food we eat comes from soil and it needs to feed 7 billion people.

To support the Society’s aim of highlighting the importance of soil in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, our four new videos have been released in conjunction with the World Congress of Soil Science 2022.

The one-minute-long videos, Life on Land (SDG 15), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) and Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), are aimed at non-scientists. The awareness-raising videos provide an overview of the importance of soil, based on evidence.

The Living soils workshop is a participatory educational workshop aimed at understanding the different cause-and-effect relationships in the soil system and how collective choices can influence them, with a focus on agricultural practices. Based on the model of the Climate Fresk, with 30 cards and in 2 hours, this collaborative tool highlights the fundamental knowledge about soils and encourages people to act to protect them!

Greater public understanding of the essential elements of soil and its functioning is needed to enable the best possible management of this limited resource. A common language is essential so that the discussion between the different stakeholders can take place with an understanding of the scientific basis of soil functioning and agricultural practices.

The Living soils workshop has been created to let people collaborate around soils, enabling them to understand the main mechanisms ongoing in soils - nutrients and organic matter cycles, symbiosis relationships,... - to reflect on the impacts of human activity on it and to brainstorm to find solutions at different scales (citizens, farmers, private companies, politics). With this pedagogical tool, adapted to a very varied public (professionals, general public, elected officials, students), the association aims to share current scientific knowledge to inform debates and decisions on soil management.

The U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund is an initiative of the Soil Health Institute aimed at increasing the adoption of regenerative soil health systems in U.S. cotton by empowering farmers and their advisors with locally relevant technical knowledge, economic information, and decision support tools. The Fund encourages the adoption of soil health management systems across more than 1 million acres of U.S. cotton cropland to mitigate the effects of climate change, improve cotton producers’ livelihoods, and create a more resilient future for all.

GIZ ProSoil Kenya intends to protect and rehabilitate land on 100,000 ha in the Counties Siaya, Kakamega and Bungoma. The approach builds on two key principles: a) increase on-fam biomass production and b) reduce soil erosion. This way, farmers achieve an average of 35% yield increase in staple crops, store 2-3 t SOC/ha and increase their resilience to climate shocks and volatile input markets.

Based on ground-work experience with farmers, ProSoil Kenya advises the MoALFC and County Governments on designing Agricultural Land Management Policies (ASMP) and rolling out a Sustainable Soil Management Curriculum at agricultural training institutions.

To create an enabling environment for sustainable soil management, ProSoil also collaborates with the private sector to provide innovative farm inputs such as minimum tillage tools, organic fertilizers and cover crops seeds as well as soil testing and agricultural extension services.

Removing carbon from the atmosphere through regenerative farming by supporting the business model of farmers. We support crop farmers in the US in their transition to regenerative farming by facilitating them in generating carbon credits for the regenerative practices they implement. This facilitation consists of attractive financing solutions, agronomic advice and support, verification of carbon credits and sales of carbon credits.

Our initial focus lies with large scale Rabobank farmers in the Cerrado Biome in Brazil as farmers in this area are increasingly experiencing effects of climate change. We aim to plant trees on degraded pastures or idle land (Land that has little or no agricultural or industrial value (e.g., land with sandy soils, stones or slopes). We plant long term trees with long durability for increased biodiversity on the designated areas, primarily for carbon sequestration and potentially for other sustainable tree produce.

This initiative is a project of the Association for the Development of Women's Initiatives, "ADIF". This project is planned to be implemented for 5 years (2021–2025) in two territories, in particular the Territory of Kailo in Maniema, and the Plateau de Bateke in the city Province of Kinshasa.

The objective of this project is to develop sustainable land, soil, crop information hubs in national agricultural research organizations in East Africa to enhance the effectiveness of national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and contribute to rural transformation and climate-smart agriculture.

The key features of the LSC Hubs are that they bring together all available data into national information hubs, improve accessibility to agricultural data and provide information for climate-smart agriculture.

Regreening Africa strives to restore ecosystems in 8 countries and improve the resilience of 500,000 households across sub-Saharan Africa.

It aims to do so through innovative solutions like the Regreening Africa App - designed to fill local knowledge gaps by amplifying the voices of local stakeholders (including farmers) that implement land restoration activities.

For example, one of the key practises promoted by the Regreening Africa project, called ‘farmer-managed natural regeneration’, builds off of the local knowledge of farmers, while integrating scientific methods where needed.

In line with the SGD Goal 15 to restore and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems, Living Soils in the Americas seeks to promote the uptake of national and local action as best practices to ensure soil sustainability.

It is an initiative that links science, public policies, the private sector and work to rehabilitate degraded soils that currently threaten the position of Latin America and the Caribbean as a guarantor of the world’s food security.

This initiative is a flagship success story. The goal of the project was to increase food security and improve the livelihoods of poor communities living in African drylands (specifically in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger and Tanzania).

This was done by restoring degraded land and returning it to support effective and sustainable tree, crop and livestock production, thereby improving land profitability, landscape integrity and livelihood resilience.