Reviving soil health through activated Leonardite innovation

Summary of the challenge Modern agriculture and climate stress have severely depleted soil organic matter and structure, especially in Eastern European rural areas. Farmers face lower yields and higher input costs. By introducing innovative, humic-rich amendments like activated leonardite, we aim to regenerate soil health, boost nutrient retention, and increase resilience particularly for small-scale and organic farmers. Detailed description This challenge addresses a critical but often overlooked issue: the declining quality of agricultural soils across Europe, particularly in post-communist rural areas where intensive farming and chemical use have depleted organic matter and microbial life. Our initiative proposes the use of activated leonardite, a natural material rich in humic and fulvic acids, as an innovative, scalable, and eco-friendly soil amendment. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, leonardite improves soil structure, increases cation exchange capacity (CEC), enhances root development, and enables plants to better absorb both macro- and micronutrients already present in the soil. It also contributes to carbon sequestration and soil biodiversity restoration. The idea emerged from consultations with young agronomists, soil scientists, and eco-farmers who are looking for low-cost, high-impact solutions that regenerate soil rather than simply feed plants. Given that leonardite is underutilized in European agriculture, this proposal also opens opportunities for green entrepreneurship and innovation. We plan to use this bootcamp to explore how leonardite-based soil treatments can be integrated into regenerative agriculture policies, training programs, and local pilot projects. The long-term vision is to create an open-source platform and guide for farmers, particularly in Eastern Europe, on how to apply leonardite in different soil types and climates. Which SoilTribes priority area(s) does your challenge address? Soil Democracy Commons Stewardship Regenerative Transitions How does your challenge respond to the selected SoilTribes priority area(s)? Our project promotes regenerative rransitions by offering farmers and local stakeholders a viable pathway toward healthier, living soils through natural inputs like leonardite. We embrace commons stewardship by advocating for open knowledge sharing and locally sourced leonardite as a common natural resource. Through participatory pilot projects and farmer-led experimentation, we embody the values of soil democracy, empowering communities to co-create their soil futures. Which EU Soil Mission goal(s) does your challenge contribute to? Prevent erosion Reduce soil sealing / reuse urban soils Reduce soil pollution / enhance restoration Enhance soil biodiversity Challenge typology Roots (deep structural transformation) Expected outputs / actions Awareness-raising / communications Capacity-building (training, guides, mentorship) Policy or advocacy initiatives Participatory processes Who is involved or affected by the challenge? Small and medium farmers, especially in Eastern Europe. Organic growers and regenerative agriculture practitioners. Local municipalities and soil experts. Agricultural cooperatives. Environmental NGOs focused on soil regeneration Where is your challenge located? Research Station for Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) Cluj-Napoca, Romania Which SoilTribes pillar(s) are you connected to? Academia, Education & Research Civil Society What public policies or institutional frameworks does your challenge engage with or seek to change? Our challenge engages with several key public policies and institutional frameworks at both national and EU levels: Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): We aim to influence the CAP’s eco-schemes by encouraging the inclusion of natural soil amendments like leonardite as eligible regenerative practices, particularly under agri-environmental and climate measures. EU Soil Monitoring and Resilience Law (proposed): Our project complements this law by developing practical tools and testing methods that could help farmers and local authorities monitor soil structure and organic carbon improvements. Romania’s National Strategic Plan under the CAP (2023–2027): We seek to advocate for the integration of humic substances and leonardite-based amendments within national subsidy frameworks, rural development measures, and farmer training programs. Local land management and rural innovation policies: Through collaboration with research institutions like the Research Station for Horticulture, USAMV Cluj-Napoca, we aim to shape local pilot programs and demonstrate how leonardite use can align with sustainable land use goals. How do you imagine the Bootcamp will benefit your initiative — and others? We hope to: Refine our methodology for applying activated leonardite across different soil types and farming systems, with input from peers and experts. Learn from other regenerative projects about participatory approaches, soil monitoring tools, and successful policy engagement. Explore partnerships for pilot testing and cross-border collaboration, especially with communities facing similar soil degradation challenges. Co-develop communication strategies that translate technical soil knowledge into accessible formats for farmers, youth, and policymakers. What we bring: Scientific expertise and research infrastructure through our collaboration with the Research Station for Horticulture, USAMV Cluj-Napoca. Practical innovation around the use of leonardite—a natural, underused resource with strong regenerative potential. A replicable model that could be scaled in other regions struggling with low soil organic matter, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.