The overall aim of the thematic network ‘OK-Net Arable’ is to improve the exchange of innovative and traditional knowledge among farmers, farm advisers and scientists to increase productivity and quality in organic arable cropping all over Europe, in order to satisfy future market demand. To achieve this, 'OK-Net Arable' has three specific objectives: 1) to create a European network of well-functioning farmer innovation groups representing the best examples of co-innovation by farmers and researchers. The network of farmer innovation groups will serve to exchange experiences in the area of arable crop production and test the innovative end-user and education material developed in the project; 2) to digest and synthesize the considerable knowledge available from the reservoir of scientific and practical knowledge in the area of organic arable farming and to identify the best methodology in learning and knowledge exchange. Based on this easily understandable education and end-user material will be developed; 3) to create a platform for knowledge exchange across Europe unique in organic farming, offering both innovative education and end-user material as well as offering opportunities for farmer-to-farmer, advisor-to-advisor or researcher-to-advisor-to-farmer learning. The multi-actor approach is prominent in this proposal: (1) at EU level with scientific partners and farmers' associations jointly coordinating the work packages; (2) on the local level with farmers, farm advisors and scientists cooperating in farmer innovation groups. The whole consortium covers in total 13 countries from all corners of Europe giving a well-balanced representation of different climate, geographical and socio-economic conditions.

The EU has set a target of reaching at least 25% organic farmland by 2030, which requires a tripling of the current organic area and the entry of 700,000 new farmers into the organic sector. This calls for easy access to reliable knowledge about organic practices, as well as the creation of innovations. Organic advisory services are essential to achieve this, and there is a need for 10,000-20,000 organic advisers in the EU to serve these farmers. The overall objective of the project is to co-create an EU-wide network of 1000 organic advisors that will exchange knowlegde and provide mutual support, covering all 27 EU Member States and 7 other European countries. The network will cover both plant production and animal husbandry. It will embrace the diversity of organic advisory services offered by private and publication organisations or self-employed professionals. An Action Plan will be created to ensure the long-term continuation of the network, laying down a governance structure and identifying future funding streams. Exchange will take place in online community spaces and in-person events. Online learning activities will be offered to increase technical and soft skills of advisors, both newcomers in the sector as well as more experienced organic advisors. Based on an analysis of drivers and barriers, the project will empower organic advisors to improve capacity of their organisations and promote the creation of organic advisory services where they do not exist yet. Successful business models of structuring and financing organic advisory services will be assessed. The outcomes of the project will be disseminated to actors within and beyond the organic community. Finally, synergies will be created with other EU projects and policy makers will be engaged to foster long-term support for the network itself and for organic advisory services in all parts of Europe.

TransformDairyNet will harness the expertise of 26 European partners to create 11 National Innovation Practice Hubs and a European Knowledge and Innovation Network of dairy farmers, veterinarians, advisors, supply chain actors, farmer organisations, researchers and policy makers, to work together to upscale cow calf contact (CCC) dairy production and beyond. Keeping cows and calves together for months rather than the usual hours/days promotes health, growth and normal, pleasurable behaviour, and is the most consumer accepted ethical practice for increasing the sustainability of dairy systems in line with the Green Deal. TransformDairyNet aims to accelerate the adoption of CCC orientated-practice through: (1) compiling existing knowledge and identifying end-user needs; (2) co-creating new CCC knowledge–generating ideas and solutions; (3) sharing knowledge ready for practice, and (4) CCC legacy and tools for transforming systems. Through a multi-actor approach, TransformDairyNet will bring science and practice together to create a comprehensive CCC knowledge map, champion farmer-led innovation and share practice to upskill European dairy farmers and advisors at differences stages of adoption. TransformDairyNet will build resilience and normalise and spread CCC practice by co-creating harmonised, farmer–facing tools, materials and peer-to-peer activities, leveraging trusted channels and networks and engaging with existing and new dairy and CCC focused EIP-AGRI Operational Groups. TransformDairyNet will work with EU FarmBook to maintain the Knowledge and Innovation Networks beyond the project as a community of practice, able to pivot to other issues for the continued transition to sustainable dairy production into the future. Looking forward, TransformDairyNet will provide insights and recommendations for the acceleration of other novel agricultural practices with high citizen and practitioner demand, through reflecting on the thematic network processes.