Mission Soil Ambassadors are committed advocates working to raise awareness about soil health, improve soil literacy across society, or for environmental sustainability. Coming from diverse backgrounds and selected for their outstanding contributions in areas such as sustainable agriculture and businesses, biodiversity, conservation, and scientific and environmental communication, these Ambassadors promote the importance of soil health at local, regional, national, or European levels.
Ambassadors support the goals of the Mission Soil by fostering collaboration, encouraging action to protect and restore soil, and engaging with communities and networks. Through public outreach, education, and peer-to-peer learning, they connect communities, stakeholders, and initiatives, helping to build a more resilient future for Europe’s soil.
Check their profiles below and learn more about the Mission Soil Platform.
The ambassadors act in their personal capacity and do not represent the European Commission. The views and opinions expressed by the ambassadors are solely their own and do not reflect the official position of the European Commission.
The Ambassadors
Location
Romania | Tara Calatei-Kalotaszeg region, Sancraiu commune, Cluj county.
Social Media
Name
Miklos Attila Szocs-BorussBio
Attila holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering in Agriculture and is dedicated to the socially and environmentally equitable use of farmland. With extensive expertise in national and European land and rural development policies, he has coordinated multiple reports and policy analyses on farmland management, agroecology, and rural development. Attila is a co-founder and board member of ALPA (Access to Land for Agroecology), where he advocates for the implementation of agroecology at both territorial and farm levels. He is also steering group member of the Access to Land Europe Network where he involves into advocacy and knowledge-exchange activities around the issue if land and agroecology.
Statement
Soil is the foundation of life and a keystone in sustaining biodiversity, environmental and cultural regeneration and climate resilience. In my work with ALPA, I strive to secure farmland for agroecological practices that protect and enrich soil health, ensuring it remains a viable resource for future generations. We collaborate with farmers to adopt soil-friendly practices, raise public awareness, and advocate for policies that recognize soil as a vital ecosystem.
Key Mission Soil Objectives
Location
Luxembourg
Name
Karine ParisBio
Karine has been working in the field of agro-ecology and permaculture for over 10 years, supporting the Luxembourg community gardens. In recent years, she has taken a particular interest in soil health. After following Elaine Ingham's course (Soil Food Web), she intends to pursue her mission and contribute to the transition from current agricultural practices to regenerative practices.
Statement
"Connection to the living implies awareness of the existence of the invisible."
Elaine Ingham's course introduced me to this world. Since then, I've had a radical vision of the mistreatment of soils, industrial chemicals and pollutants, which goes hand in hand with the mistreatment of all living things.
Key Mission Soil Objectives
Location
Spain | La junquera, Caravaca de la Cruz, Múrcia
Social Media
Name
Yanniek SchoonhovenBio
At the forefront of the regenerative agriculture movement, my work at La Junquera Farm and the Regeneration Academy centers on regeneration and rural development. With over seven years of hands-on farming experience and leadership in regenerative practices, I have helped transform La Junquera into a model for environmental stewardship and agricultural education. Our efforts have revitalized degraded land, showcasing the real-world benefits of regenerative agriculture.
Statement
As a farmer and educator I believe soil health is at the base of our health and ecosystem resilience. By improving soil health on our farm and our whole watershed I hope to contribute to a more sustainable future
Key Mission Soil Objectives
Location
Austria | Absdorf, Region Wagram
Social Media
Name
Alfred GrandBio
Alfred Grand is an organic, regenerative farmer and entrepreneur from Austria. At his company VERMIGRAND, earthworms are producing organic fertilizer and peat free soil substrates. In 2018 his farm was developed into a research and demonstration farm. GRAND FARM is focusing on soil health, agroforestry and market gardening. GRAND GARTEN is the first Regenerative Organic Certified market garden all over Europe. Alfred is part of a range of national and international research projects, member of the Global Network of Lighthouse Farms, member of four different EIP-Agri focus groups and member of the first mission board for the EU-Mission Soil Deal. He is not only appointed as an ambassador for the EU-mission soil, but was also honored with the ERDREICH award by the Austrian climate ministry.
Statement
I consider myself „Trained by earthworms“ because I learned and raised my awareness on soil health, when I worked on our vermicomposting project. At that time, we also started cooperating with the scientific community in Austria and later on all over Europe. I realized how important healthy soils are for the wellbeing of our society and how much soil-health can contribute to help reaching the sustainable development goals (SDGs). On our farm, WE GROW FOOD, SOIL AND PEOPLE :-) !!