Mission Soil Ambassadors are dedicated advocates for soil health, selected for their outstanding contributions in areas such as sustainable agriculture and business, biodiversity, soil conservation, and scientific and environmental communication. They help raise awareness about soil health, improve soil literacy across society, and promote environmental sustainability – primarily at local level. Coming from diverse backgrounds, 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 stakeholders, initiatives, and communities, helping to build a more resilient future for Europe’s soil. The Mission Soil Ambassadors network aims to include one representative from each European Union Member State and each Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Check their profiles below and learn more about the Mission Soil. Stay up to date with the latest news from the Ambassadors.
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
Sheila Darmos is a third generation farmer and a social entrepreneur in the agri-food sector and civic engagement field in Greece. Her key focuses lie within her lived physical and social environment, namely the farming and rural communities, and thus a systemic approach to enable transitions towards regeneration in a holistic way. Her dedication to soil and thus ecosystem restoration translates into her key aims of transforming the farming sector in Greece through her initiative “Regenerative Farming Greece”, and is evident also in her own farming operation on “The Southern Lights” farm, in the community projects she runs through her non-profit organisation “The Southern Lights”, in trainings and public speeches in Greece and Europe through her active involvement in EARA.
Soil is the foundation of thriving livelihoods, while mirroring at the same time the health of our communities. I consider access to soil and the ability to regenerate it to be essential part of our human experience and intertwined with our own well-being, and thus our human and non-human communities well-being.
- 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
- 5. Prevent erosion
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
As an experienced entrepreneur, board member and investor, I am passionate to create healthy landscapes and resilient ecosystems to help fight climate change and biodiversity loss. Soil health is central in that endeavor. I believe this can be done successfully with a holistic approach, together with stakeholders, a long term view and a sound business case at its base. I feel equally at home with the local operators on the farms I am leading as in the board rooms of international for-profit and non profit organisations. My learnings from farm level operations and local communities, to large scale landscape restoration, including deep knowledge of applied technology that enables these processes, benefit both.
As a farmer with a multi generational view, there is no doubt there is only a future for us with a healthy soil at its base. Witnessing first hand the negative impacts of conventional farm practices on soil health, we have changed to regenerative farming practices on our farm several years ago, the impact is noticeable! We will continue to implement practices aiming to improve the soil and the ecosystem, and share results with the wider community.
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 5. Prevent erosion
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
Catherine Farrell PhD CIEEM is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Natural Sciences and Adjunct Teaching Fellow in Trinity Business School at Trinity College Dublin. A pioneer of peatland restoration and research in Ireland and internationally, Catherine has furthered her experience by developing and delivering wetland, coastal, and woodland conservation, and restoration projects. Throughout, taking both a systems and trans-disciplinary perspective, stakeholder engagement is a key part of her collaborative approaches.
Her current research as part of BiOrbic, the National Bioeconomy Research Centre Ireland, focuses on developing mechanisms to structure, finance, monitor and communicate the direct impacts and broader societal benefits of nature restoration (www.refarm.ie).
As a restoration ecologist I have experienced first hand the importance of healthy soils for people and nature. Increasingly, I feel strongly that we must promote regenerative soil practices so that we can ensure healthy systems for food production and nature resilience. It is my mission to raise awareness of healthy ecosystems, and particularly to empower people to take action for nature, armed with knowledge of the importance of our soils.
- 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Matteo Mazzola is an influential agroecologist, educator and farms consultant, co-founder of Iside Farm, the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA), and the rapidly growing Italian Microfarmers Agroecological network. As a leader in Italy's regenerative farming movement, he has significantly shaped agroecological agricultural methods in early times educating thousands of people. His educational outreach includes high-profile presentations, documentaries and interviews, advocating for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, discussing crucial topics like water management, soil rehabilitation and agroforestry. Matteo's work, featured on YouTube and podcasts platforms, promotes food sovereignty and regenerative practices aimed at sustaining local ecosystems and communities.
Soil is our present, past and future. As a dedicated regenerative farmer and educator, I enhance soil health with diverse, climate-resilient and ecological practices. I raise awareness through workshops and farm tours, promoting Agroecology online and in person. My next step is establishing a school on our farm to teach regenerative techniques and deepen our community's connection with the land, from farmers to consumers reaching the widest targets, because we all walk on the same ground.
- 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
- 5. Prevent erosion
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
Māra Lieplapa is the CEO and co-founder of PLŪKT Nordic tea brand, one of the most sustainable tea brands out there. PLŪKT is on a mission to preserve the natural biodiversity of wild organic meadows and forests by collecting only wild herbs for their premium herbal teas. At the core there is fermented fireweed, a local alternative to traditional black teas. PLŪKT has gained recognition in 23 export countries by proving that quality natural products can be made ethically, sustainably and still have a scalable and exclusive approach to international markets. Māra has been acknowledged as the Young Entrepreneur of the year, is VISA She's Next Award recipient, her brand has been awarded with Baltic sustainability award, two times Baltic ecommerce star, The trade mark of the year.
PLŪKT Nordic tea brand represents wild meadows, and we are directly impacted by any changes in the health of the soil. By hand-picking and promoting naturally grown herbs, we encourage tea lovers (and everyone, really) to appreciate the rich flavours, vivid colours and various health benefits of wild herbs. This is rarely the case for cultivated and chemically treated conventional herbs. I'm committed to raising awareness of biodiversity through my active presence in international events.
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Justina Kaučikienė is a farmer and co-founder of Smelynė Ūkis in Lithuania, where she and her husband apply holistic management and regenerative farming principles. Her journey into farming began with a personal search for healthier food for her family, which led to a deep understanding of the connection between soil health, food quality, and human well-being. Today, she actively shares this message through conferences, media appearances, and educational initiatives, advocating for the care of soil as a foundation for both environmental sustainability and nutritional health. In 2024, her farm was recognised as the Baltic Farmer of the Year.
Knowing that our lives depend on just a few centimeters of soil fills me with deep respect and responsibility. I’m committed to protecting and regenerating it through holistically planned grazing that works with nature, not against it. By sharing our experience through workshops and storytelling, I hope to inspire others to care for the soil that sustains us all.
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
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.
"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.
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Anne van Leeuwen worked on a museum about the relationship between humans and the rest of life at Artis Royal zoo and co-founded the Embassy of the North Sea in Amsterdam. In 2019, she started Bodemzicht farm and foundation with her partner Ricardo Cano Mateo in Malden. In March 2024 she moved to the 45 hectare Lenteland regenerative community farm 't Gagel in Lochem. She is in close contact with the regenerative movement in the Netherlands and a founding farmer of the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA).
I grew up with a lot of love for life. When I started farming I came to understand that the soil is the fundament of all of life and when we take care of ours soils, we are actually taking care of ourselves. Soil health and diversity is key for a resilient ecology, economy and society. At Gagel farm we work on growing healthy soil and nutritious food for our communities, and we teach and collaborate with many organisations to facilitate the transition to a regenerative (agri)culture.
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
Anna Danylczenko is the founder of Grunt od Nowa, a foundation dedicated to soil regeneration and sustainable agriculture. As a Soil Advocate with the global organization Kiss the Ground, she actively promotes regenerative farming practices that enhance soil health while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and agricultural chemicals. She continuously expands her expertise through specialized courses in regenerative agriculture across Europe and the U.S. In collaboration with a team of scientists at Grunt od Nowa, she develops innovative agricultural technologies that improve crop yields and profitability while aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal. Her foundation also implements regenerative solutions for cities and businesses.
Soil is the foundation of life, essential for food production, healthy ecosystems, and climate resilience. Through Grunt od Nowa, I develop regenerative solutions that enhance soil health while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. I also promote nature-based urban solutions and advocate for sustainable land management.
- 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
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.
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.
- 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
- 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
- 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States