The new network will meet for the first time in April this year. At the meeting, members will introduce themselves and take the first steps toward knowledge sharing and discussions aimed at improving field trials. Svend V Nielsen from the Danish Technological Institute is the initiator of the network and will give a presentation to the participants at the meeting.

– I think we are quite good at field trial statistics in the Nordics, but we may tend to stick to traditions and keep doing what we know works. I hope this network can inspire members to use statistics better suited to their research questions and rethink their practices, he says.

The group focuses on statistics, including the design and placement of field trials, handling deviations from the original plan, and statistical analysis of field trial data.

– The idea is that we address all types of questions related to the statistics of field trials. This will mainly involve design choices, plan deviations, and statistical analysis. For example, if someone is considering a nitrate leaching field trial, we won’t address the suction cup installation and mechanics, but we would naturally discuss how to adjust the trial design to fit the suction cup constraints, how to handle missing measurements, and how to include leaching in a statistical analysis.

The network hopes to inspire improvements in field trials. Hearing what others are doing can help identify blind spots and alternative approaches, according to Svend V. Nielsen. Other potential benefits could include inspiring research into the statistics of field trials or fostering collaboration among members.

The network welcomes new members and targets those who face statistical decisions in field trials – whether in industry or academia – and who want to discuss these topics.

– There isn’t a single fitting title for participants – it could be statisticians, researchers, study directors, etc. The network has just started, it’s free, and we’re looking for interested people.

CONTACT:
Please turn to Svend V Nielsen if you are interested in the network:
sven(a)teknologisk.dk
– he is happy to hear from all interested!

Cover crops are widely used to reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching, thereby improving water quality. Research has also shown that they can increase soil organic carbon stocks, enhance soil health, and contribute to net CO₂ sequestration in soils, supporting climate change mitigation efforts.

The Nordic research network CoverCropsNordic was established to strengthen synergies in research on cover cropping strategies for a more sustainable agriculture and food sector in the Nordic region. By bringing together expertise from multiple countries, the network has improved the shared understanding of both trade-offs and synergies linked to the many impacts of cover crops, while also laying the groundwork for future joint activities and research projects.

Recent research initiatives in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – including CatCap in Denmark, CAPTURE and CropDrive in Norway, and several long- and short-term experiments in Sweden – have provided valuable insights into similarities and differences in cover crop performance across Nordic climate zones, soils, and cropping systems. These comparisons have enabled discussions on key trade-offs and synergies, such as crop yield levels and stability, nutrient replacement and legacy effects, nutrient leaching, erosion control, and climate impacts.

To share knowledge and identify remaining challenges, the network organised a series of digital webinars that brought together researchers and stakeholders from across the Nordic region. A physical meeting in Copenhagen further highlighted the importance of combining new scientific knowledge with practical experience to maximise the positive effects of cover cropping.

The network also organised a PhD course at SLU, bringing together 20 doctoral students and demonstrating strong interest in advancing research-based solutions for climate change mitigation in Nordic agriculture.

The adoption of cover crops has already resulted in improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and other climate-related benefits. The network’s joint synthesis of knowledge will be published in a review paper on cover crops in the Nordic countries. This publication will provide a solid foundation for recommendations on optimal cover crop strategies, supporting both environmental regulations and farmers’ practices across the Nordic region.

Find the network and contact information here!

One aim of the project, which was funded by NKJ via the steering group for New Nordic Food, was to change the culinary profile of school meals into a Nordic and sustainable profile.

– It was very much about food culture, and about bringing Nordic food culture to the next generation. And inspiring each other by visiting one another’s food cultures, says Judith Kyst, coordinator of the project and director at Madkulturen in Denmark.

The project worked with the staff who planned and prepared the food by offering an inspiration course, an exchange trip, and by mapping resources in the form of kitchen equipment and an inventory of local, seasonal foods and wild edible plants in the surrounding area. But it was not enough to involve only the staff who prepared the food. The project also aimed to reach those who eat the food. They were given the opportunity to learn about, collect and harvest, prepare, taste, and reflect on the food.

– It should not just be food served; we wanted to involve young people in food culture. They were able to gather from nature and take part in preserving and working with the food. Nordic food culture is not just about raw materials, it is also about methods.

– Young people with a different ethnic background can also use food as a tool for integration. They cook food from their own culture, but using local ingredients.

– Today, when the world is so divided, we must not forget our shared Nordic roots. And if there is something that can unite us, it is food. The raw ingredients can be very different. It is more about our values around food, what the Nordic food manifesto stands for – that is what we have in common.

The result of the project has been young people with a newly awakened and deepened interest in food.

– They are very enthusiastic; they are still talking about it! It is about giving food life and developing a relationship with food. There are many perspectives involved in being part of preparing the food yourself.

Hopefully, the young people who have participated in the project’s activities will carry a sense of and an interest in food culture with them into their lives.

When: December 16 2025, 13.30–16.00 CET
Where: Online via Zoom, link will be sent out in advance of the meeting
Registration: Application form (Deadline: Dec 11th)

Welcome to join our online matchmaking event, to find out more about how to apply for funds from Nordic Agri Research (NKJ), hear from an ongoing network how they use their collaboration platform, and connect with other researchers who are looking for collaboration opportunities!

You will be inspired by an ongoing research network who will talk about what type of activities they have done, what they have achieved so far and how they have benefitted from collaborating in the Nordic region. NKJ will also inform you about the current open call that can fund your future networking activities.

AGENDA
13.30 Welcome and presentations
13.50 How to apply for funds from NKJ – tips and tricks
14.10 Inspiration talk from an ongoing Nordic research network
              Nicolai Fog Hansen, Nordic Field Trial Network
14.30 Networking workshop with Malin von Essen
16.00 Finish

CONTACT
If you have any questions, send an email to nkj@slu.se

NKJ welcomes applications for funding to boost Nordic collaboration and spark new ideas across disciplines. The call aims to strengthen Nordic cooperation and inspire new, cross-disciplinary collaborations.

 
Deadline for application: 31 January, 2026
Apply by filling in the application form and sending it to nkj@slu.se 

The aim of the call is to promote Nordic collaboration between researchers from agricultural and food sectors by networking activities including workshops, conferences and seminars. Transdisciplinary networks between researchers and stakeholders are encouraged.

This open call welcomes applicants from all fields of research within food and agriculture!

NKJ will host an online matchmaking event on December 16 2025 (information and registration here), where you will be able to connect with other researchers who are looking for collaboration opportunities. This event will also include information on the open call and an opportunity to ask questions.

It is also possible to find inspiration and information on previously funded networks on NKJ’s website.

To have the chance to be granted, the network should include applicants from at least three Nordic countries. Each binary gender must be represented by a minimum of 40% of the participants in the network, and NKJ welcomes applicants and participants of other genders. Young researchers should be included in the network. 

Network outputs should be useful for the Nordic community and should include knowledge exchange across national borders through e.g. arranging workshops, seminars/webinars, scientific meetings or open conferences. The funding can be used to bring additional value to ongoing research projects through mentioned activities.

Successful applicants may receive funds from NKJ of up to 300.000 SEK for two years of network activities from April 2026 to March 2028, covering at most 50% of the total budget for the network. The total budget for the call is 2.500.000 SEK.

This call is open for applicants from all fields of research within food and agriculture!

Call text

Application form

NKJ strategy

Gender equality guidelines

The network has arranged a seminar, which gathered experts, researchers and stakeholders. They emphasized the need for regionally adapted frameworks that include policies and incentives, collaborative monitoring frameworks, and stakeholder engagement to support sustainable soil management.

“By embracing a regionally adapted agroecological approach, Nordic countries can lead the way in building resilient, climate-smart food systems rooted in healthy soils”, the network says in a policy brief, which provides a range of advice that can lead to better soil.

The advices also includes to develop a dynamic online dashboard where current state of soil health can be viewed, establish monitoring systems that reflect local soil types, and to fund interdisciplinary research – among more.

– Based on the discussions during within the TerraNordica network and the seminar we have identified knowledge gaps and future challenges, as well as policy constraints and opportunities for Scandinavian countries. This information is used for composing the policy brief on agroecology and soil health opportunities and challenges for Scandinavian conditions. The members of the network are enthusiastic about the established contacts, and we will continue this cooperation in coming related events, says Jannes Stolte, coordinator of the NKJ co-funded researcher network TerraNordica.

Find all policy advice and key messages from the network in the policy brief!

Time: October 28, 2025, 09.00-16.30 EET (UTC+2)

Place: Teams (online). The Teams link will be shared with registered participants after registration deadline (26/10 2025).

The participants will, together with several knowledgable speakers, delve into for example the role of VRN2 in cold adaptation, freezing tolerance, winter wheat from Finland’s perspective, and a lot more.

Program

Keynote speakers:
Dr. Dominique Hirsz (IPK, Germany),
”VRN turning into winter: Exploring the role of VRN2 in cold adaptation”

Dr. Sebastian Michel (Boku, Austria)
“Can we teach machines to select like a plant breeder?”

Additional speakers are part of the research network. Together they will form the two sessions “Understanding the trait of winter hardiness” (morning), and “The role of winter hardiness in breeding, different country perspectives” (afternoon).

Register  Register at the latest 26/10 2025

Photo: Minna Kaljonen

In Helsinki, Finland, nearly 300 researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders connected to food systems, gathered for the conference under the theme ”Securing sustainable food systems in turbulent times.”

– The aim was to dig deep into how the Nordic and Baltic countries can create resilient and sustainable food systems for the future together, in these geopolitically turbulent times, says Minna Kaljonen, coordinator and one of the organizers of the conference.

The key messages from the NFN2025 were delivered to the Nordic Council of Ministers meeting in Kuopio 11-12.6.2025. The organisers emphasized the need for strong institutional support for transdisciplinary food systems research and policy. They argued that the Nordic Council of Ministers could take a stronger role in breaking the siloed sectoral policies and prioritizing food systems research in research funding. The geopolitical turbulences underline the need to look for solutions that give multiple benefits.

Results seminar and policy forum

The conference started with the results-seminar after a Finnish six-year long Food-program, funded by the Strategic Research Council Finland. Three transdisciplinary projects concentrating on just food systems transition (www.justfood.fi), legume value chains (www.leg4life.fi) and regenerative farming (https://www.bsag.fi/en/carbon-action-en/) showcased the solutions for building sustainable, climate-smart and healthy food systems.

The events continued with the Food Policy Forum with high-level keynotes on how the Nordic and Baltic countries are aiming to strengthen the resilience of their food systems and making them crises proof at the same time. The keynotes from Finland, Estonia and Sweden showcased somewhat different approaches to preparedness, but highlighted the collective challenges as well.

A PhD network was also kicked off during the conference and will continue to support peer-to-peer learning amongst the early career researchers.

– It really allowed mutual learning among the different countries, says Minna Kaljonen.
– It also brought up some key differences between them as well.

Prepare for crises

Minna Kaljonen points out the importance of preparing our food systems for various types of crises today, while also maintaining a long-term perspective. This may, for example, concern the use of inputs: fertilizers, seeds, energy and the like. As an example of how to tackle the existing challenges, she mentions the importance of decentralizing production to support circular solutions, and better collaboration between plant and livestock farms in nutrient recycling. Agro-ecological symbiosis was showcased as one example by Rogier Schulte, one of the keynotes in the conference.

– Personally, I see climate change as the one big key threat that compels us to really think about how we produce and consume food. In addition to building long-term resilience, we need to find solutions to be prepared to crises in short-term as well. The key challenge for both food system actors and policy makers is how to keep these both time horizons in mind in decision-making, says Minna Kaljonen.

As part of the solution, she wants to see the Nordic-Baltic food systems as several different systems, but she also emphasizes that they are interconnected. According to Minna Kaljonen, systems thinking can help us move forward.

– This conference took several steps forward in this direction, at the very least brought people together to discuss in these terms, and it really showed that there is a great need for this kind of platform for people from different disciplines to reflect on how food systems work. The Baltic-Nordic perspectives make the solutions tangible.

Now, the organizers are planning the next conference, eyeing Estonia as a possible location. The aim is to hold the conference every other year.

Find more information about the NFN2025

Join the LinkedIn NFN2025 group