SoilTribes at the Agricultural National Fair
From 6 to 14 June 2026, SoilTribes brought the conversation around soil into a highly relevant public space: the Agricultural National Fair in Santarém, Portugal. Through its participation, INOVA+ represented the SoilTribes project among a broad public and agricultural audience, reaching more than 50,000 participants.
The activity created an important opportunity to connect soil health messages with people directly involved in farming, education, entrepreneurship, and everyday food systems.
The Agricultural National Fair gathered a wide range of participants, including the general public, farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and schools. During the event, INOVA+ team presented the project, shared key messages on soil health, and engaged visitors through accessible and interactive formats.
A multi-actor direct approach
A key part of the activity was the use of hands-on engagement to make soil health more accessible and practical.
Rather than communicating soil as a distant or technical subject, the activity invited participants to explore soil through direct interaction. This approach helped create a space where different audiences could connect with soil health in a more tangible way.
For farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, the activity provided a direct link between soil health and sustainable agricultural practices. For schools and young participants, it supported curiosity and awareness. For the wider public, it opened a conversation about the role of soil in food, well-being, and everyday life.
This practical format reflects the SoilTribes approach: moving from information to connection, and from awareness to action.
The Living Soil Workshop with the general public
During the fair, INOVA+ also implemented the Living Soil Workshop with the general public.
The workshop supported SoilTribes’ wider objective of increasing soil literacy across society by creating an interactive space for learning and dialogue. Through this format, participants could better understand why soil matters, how it functions, and why its protection is connected to broader environmental and social challenges.
The Living Soil Workshop also helped translate complex soil-related topics into an accessible experience for diverse participant groups.
Strengthening SoilTribes visibility in Portugal
The participation at the Agricultural National Fair created strong dissemination value for SoilTribes.
Reaching more than 50,000 participants, the activity strengthened project visibility among key stakeholder groups, including citizens, farmers, schools, and agricultural entrepreneurs. It also positioned SoilTribes within a relevant national context, where agriculture, land use, education, and sustainability intersect.
