Programme
This years theme, Regions as Changemakers for European Resilience and Sustainability, encourages the participants to discuss the role of regions in building up a more resilient and sustainable European Agri-Food and Forestry Systems. In the the aftermath of European Parliamentary Elections we expect insightful and fruitful discussion with regional policy and decision makers and developers about the current and future developements of the agri-food and forestry sector.
During the 3 conference days participants have a great opportunity to network, exchange ideas and plan for future. Study visits in the region will also offer new insights and food for thought for future. Some offsite programme is also arranged for exploring the city and the region.
Annual conference programme
Venue: SeAMK Campus, F-Building, Kampusranta 11, 60300 Seinäjoki.
Note: Changes in the agenda might still occur.
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Day 0: Monday 10th of June
Arrival in Seinäjoki.
Free time for independent sightseeing / exploring the city in the afternoon / evening. (self paid)
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Day 1: Tuesday 11th of June
Focus: Political seminars and discussions. Together with FOODPathS project.
Timetable Session 8:30-9:00 Registration to the event 9:00-9:30 Welcome and opening speech
Facilitators: Terhi Korpi (SeAMK) + Samuele Pii (ERIAFF)– Welcome speech: Jaakko Hallila, (SeAMK, president)
– Opening speech: Mikko Savola (Council of South Ostrobothnia)
– Video greeting from Tuscany, vice president Stefania Saccardi9:30-10:30 Political session 1: Setting up the political landscape for regions in Europe. – Keynote speech 1: Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture of Finland, Video Greeting
– Keynote speech 2: Juha Gröhn /Atria former CEO
– Keynote speech 3: Hugo De Vries FOODPathS
10:30-10:50 Coffee break 11:00 – 12:00 Political Session 2: Regions as changemakers Introduction: Wouter Spek (Director, EuroBioForum Foundation, T.I.B development),
Panelist Presentations
– Mikko Savola (Council of South Ostrobothnia, Member of Finnish Parliament)
– Enric Vadell (Deputy General Director of Forests. Government of Catalonia)
– Luis Ignacio Rojo (The Head of Forest Management Service, from Castilla y León)
– Antonio Ventre, forestry engineer – Forestry, Agri-Environment, Water Resources in Agriculture Sector. Climate Change. Government of Tuscany.Moderated Discussion
Audience Q&A
Closing Remarks
12:00-13:30 LUNCH and Networking 13.00-13.30 Poster session (Partially during lunch) 13:30 – 15:00 Thematic Session 1 on Resilience Keynote speech on Resilience
R&D Manager Anu Palomäki, SeAMK
Regional Adaptation Support tool in Creating Adaptation Strategy for the Regional Food System in South OstrobothniaCase Studies on Thematic
o Case 1
Anna Bruen,
FOODPathS-project Senior Expert – Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions at ICLEIo Case 2
Enric Vadell,
Deputy General Director of Forests. Government of Cataloniao Case 3
Minna Storm
Project Researcher, Nutrition and Food Research Center (NuFo) University of Turku, Finlando Case 4
Dr. Francesca Giannetti,
PhD, Researcher at University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry; EIP-AGRI Operational Group to support Forest ResilienceAudience questions on the topics for presenters
15:00-15:20 Coffee break 15:30-17:00 Thematic Session 2 on Sustainability Keynote speech on Sustainability
Gert Meijer, Prof, Deputy Head, ETP Food for Life, FOODPathS-project ABMCase studies on thematic
o Case 1
Luc Haverkamp
Plant-based proteins, case studies and collaborations possibilitieso Case 2
Simon Maas
SmartSensor/High Fiveo Case 3
Lorenza Lirosi,
Manager at FoodDrinkEurope; FOODPathS-projcto Case 4
Reija Hietala,
DeliSoil – Soil Health Living labs Pyhäjärvi InstituteAudience questions on the topics for presenters
17:00-17:30 Concluding remarks – Remarks or the day
– Announcement of the 2025 ERIAFF 11th Annual Conference host
Montserrat Riba Cunill. Head of the Delegation to the Nordic Countries and to the Baltic States. Government of Catalonia– Ending of the day, info on Networking dinner
17.30 Photograph of the event attendees
– All participants
– ERIAFF
– FOODPathS19:30
Arrival to the venue
Programme
20:00
DinnerNetworking dinner (OmaSP Stadion) – Welcome
– Greetings by City of Seinäjoki; Mayor Jaakko Kiiskilä
– Presentation of Menu (Stadion Staff)
– Dinner and NetworkingVenue open until 01.00
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Day 2: Wednesday 12th of June
Thematic discussions, exchange of experiences and study visits.
Timetable Session 8:30-9:00 Registration 9.00 – 10.30
Thematic Seminar: Resilient and Sustainable Agri-Food and Forestry Systems Keynote: Greeting Ministry of Agriculture of Finland Pekka Pesonen
Speakers
o Simon Maas, SmartSensor/HIGHFIVE
o Emanuele Boselli, Free university of Bolzano
o Pierpaolo Rovere Fondazione Agrifood & Bioeconomy, Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia
Video Greeting: Dr. Roberto Scalacci (Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate of the Tuscany Region)
Info on Parallel sesisons
10:30-10:50 Coffee break 10:50 – 12:30 Parallel thematic sessions: Exchange and discuss new ideas, common challenges, future possibilities and best practices from ERIAFF Regions Parallel session 1:
Precision AgricultureOpportunities, approaches and experiences with precision agriculture and smart farming:
Organizers: Tuscany Region Government
Format: HybridTime: 10:50 – 12:30
Draft program:
10:50 – 10:55 Introduction to the session by the WG lead partner
10:55- 11:40 Roundtable on regional experiences with the participation of experts from: Brittany, Netherlands, Tuscany
11:40 – 12:00 High Tech Farming, opportunities in precision agriculture & smart farming Coen de Graaf – IDEA Consult (on line)
12:00 – 12:30 Final discussion and conclusion
Parallel session 2:
Resilience and Landscapes Linked to Bioeconomy Opportunities.Organizers: Catalan Government, CTFC and CESEFOR.
Format: Hybrid
Time: 55 minDraft program:
Inspiring talk/inspiring policies:
- 10’ Catalan Government. Enric Vadell. Deputy General Director of Forests. Government of Catalonia
Inspiring projects:
- 10’ FIRE-RES and FORMES: Resilient Landscapes. CTFC
- 10’ RES-MAB: Mediterranean Resilient landscapes. Quim Zaldo. CTFC Resilient Landscapes Team
- 10’ Mediterranean Model Forest Network. Toni Ventre. MMFN Secretary
Round table:
- Moderated by Adriano Raddi
Parallel session 3:
Food chains of Finland, South Ostrobothnia
– Karri Kallio
– Markus Ojala
Food Business Challenge finalistsParallel Session 4:
Social agriculture projects implemented in the Region of MarcheParallel Session 5:
WG MissionsWorkshop; Consortium building
(Find more information here)12:30-14:00 LUNCH and Networking 13.30-14.00 Poster session during lunch 13:30-14:30 Local Food Product Shop
– Preorder, delivery of products on morning coffee break on Thursday14:30 – 18:30 Study visits. 5 different topics and destinations. 14:30 – 18:30
1. Sustainable and resilient agricultural practices (Tikan Maatila. In collaboraon with Climate Farm Demo -project)14:15-16:30 (Group 1 ERIAFF) and 15:00 – 17:30 Group 2 (FOODPathS)
2. Food laboratories for the future (Frami Food Lab & Foodwest Ltd)15:00 – 18:00
3. Sustainable and Circular Food Companies (Atria )15:00 – 18:00
4. Sustainable forestry & restoration activities Forest/Peatswamp (Paukaneva)14:30 – 18:30
5. Local Drinks and Spirits
(Kyrö Distillery & Pirula tila)19:00 Onward Optional programme for sightseeing the city attractions in Seinäjoki. Architecture walk Alvar Aalto Centre
Swimming and Sauna beside a lake in Tanelinranta in Seinäjoki
Nature walk in Kyrkösjärvi Nature park (afterwards Barbeque at SeAMK premises)
Barbeque at SeAMK premises (Barbeque open from 19-22, networking possibility for all attendees)
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Day 3: Thursday 13th of June
Working group meetings
Timetable Session 8:30-9:00 Registration 9:30-10:30 Working Group meetings (Programmes on a separate site, see side menu) – Food systems WG
– Bioregions WG and Forested Regions WG’s
– Plant Based Proteins WG
– Agroecology WG and Missions’ WG (Hybrid)
– Social Agriculture WG
– High Tech Farming WG and S3 Agrifood Platform HTF – (Hybrid)
– Communications + SeAMK
10:30-10:50 Coffee break
Delivery of products from Local Food Product Shop11.00 – 13.00 Working Group Meetings – Food systems WG
– Bioregions WG and Forested Regions WG’s
– Plant Based Proteins WG All Working Groups
– Agroecology WG and Missions’ WG; (Consortium building continuation (Hybrid)
– High Tech Farming WG and S3 Agrifood Platform HTF – (Hybrid)
– Social Agriculture WG13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (Self paid) 14:00 Safe trip home