OH-FINE - Soil full of life: the power of microbial inoculants now and in the future – First OH-FINE Technical Workshop (Belgium)

On Thursday, 18 December 2025, the European OH-FINE project invites farmers, advisors, and enthusiasts to its first technical workshop in Merelbeke – Melle, Belgium. Join us for a deep dive into the world of microbial inoculants, combining scientific insights with practical, hands-on applications for organic farming.

The OH-FINE project is committed to making innovation and knowledge widely available within the organic sector, supporting both farmers in transition and experienced organic growers. This practice-oriented day brings together experts, researchers, and farmers to answer critical questions:

How far does our current knowledge extend?
How can you prepare inoculants and extracts on your own farm?
And most importantly, how do you apply them effectively in your crop cycle?

From Theory to Practice

Organized by ILVO, Inagro, and Hooibeekhoeve, the day offers a comprehensive program bridging the gap between science and the field.

The morning session focuses on the scientific context and current research. Highlights include insights into the symbiosis between plants and soil biology (Jane Debode, ILVO) and an overview of the microbial toolbox currently available in Belgium (Lieselot Van der Veken, PRO TERRA AGRO). Notably, Greet Tavernier (ILVO) will present the latest research results on compost tea, EM Cubana, and Jadam Microbial Solution.

DIY and Hands-On Demonstrations

A key focus of the workshop is "Natural Farming" and the practical application of these products. Luc Meeuwissen (Napagro/AgroSymbio) will explain how to make inoculants and BioFertilisers on the farm.

Following a panel interview with farmers Mathieu Hendrickx and David Buchan regarding their practical experiences, the afternoon will feature an interactive workshop. Participants will get hands-on experience with:

Inoculation of soy seeds
Preparation of EM Cubana and SuperMagro
Compost tea vessels and extractors
Seed coating for both large and fine seeds
Johnson Su bioreactors

Event Details

Date: Thursday, 18 December 2025
Time: 9:30 – 16:00 (followed by a closing drink)
Location: ILVO – Caritasstraat 39, 9090 Merelbeke – Melle

This workshop is open to farmers, advisors, and anyone interested in organic agriculture and biostimulants.

Links

docs.google.com: Register for the workshop
Event programme (in Dutch)

More information about the organising partners from OH-FINE: