Sign up here!

The event is free of charge!
Deadline: June 6

The roadshow offers participants an opportunity to:
• learn from Norwegian facilities and field trial environments
• explore methods and technologies for data collection and -phenotyping
• exchange experiences with researchers, testbeds and innovation actors from across the Nordic-Baltic region, and
• strengthen collaboration around digitalisation in agricultural -research and development.

The event is relevant for:
• researchers and students working with agriculture, field trials and plant phenotyping,
• testbed organisations and research infrastructures,
• technology providers developing sensing, monitoring and data solutions,
• advisors and innovation actors in the agri-food sector,
• public and private stakeholders interested in digitalisation in -agricultural research and production.

Program
11 June 2026 (NIBIO)
• Arrival at Oslo Airport (OSL) before 11:30
• Bus transport from airport to the venue
• Lunch
• At 13:30 Welcome and introduction to NTN and the roadshow
• Presentations by hosts and organisers
• Visit to NIBIO facilities and field-related activities
• Professional discussions and networking
• Bus transport to Ås
• Joint dinner

12 June 2026 (NMBU)
• At 8:30 Morning programme at NMBU
• Presentations and technical visits
• Exchange of experiences and discussion
• Lunch
• Return transport to Oslo Airport. Arrival at the airport before 13:30

Sign up here!

The event is free of charge!
Deadline: June 6

Practical information

Accommodation
Participants are expected to book and cover their own accommodation. A discounted booking option has been arranged with Thon Hotel Ski for participants in the roadshow.

Click to bookThon Hotel Ski | Thon Hotels

If the link above does not work, please use the booking code THC3018. Rooms are subject to availability, and we recommend booking as early as possible.

Transport
Participants are expected to arrange their own travel to and from Oslo.
Organised bus transport will be arranged as part of the programme. On Day 1, the bus will pick up participants at Oslo Airport and bring us all to the first venue at NIBIO. Participants should arrive at Oslo Airport no later than 11:30 on 11 June. After the programme at NIBIO, bus transport will be arranged to Ås/Ski. On Day 2, return transport will be arranged from NMBU to Oslo Airport, with expected arrival at the airport before 13:30 on 12 June.
It is also possible to arrange your own transport, for example if you travel by car or have other travel plans. If you arrange your own transport, please make sure to arrive at the relevant venues in time for the programme.

Place
• NIBIO Apelsvoll Senter for Presisjonsjordbruk, Nylinna 226, 2849 Kapp, Norge
• NMBU Universitetet for miljø- og biovitenskap, Elizabeth Stephansens v. 15, 1433 Ås, Norge

Please note
The number of participants is limited, places will be allocated on a ”first come, first served” basis.

More information

Contact:
Nicolai Fog Hansen
Danish Technological Institute
nfh@teknologisk.dk
+45 72201533

Organisers
• Nordic-Baltic Plant Phenotyping Network (NB-PPN)
• Nordic Field Trial Network (NFTN)
All catering during the event and transportation from/to the airport is sponsored by the Nordic Testbed Network

Contact:
Prof Svend Christensen, svc@plen.ku.dk

A network of researchers and advisors in the seven Nordic and Baltic countries are creating a summary of the present pest, disease and mitigation situation to guide future research efforts in currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.) production.

– There are many reasons to try to maintain the cultivation of Ribes berries in all countries where it is possible. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and there are not many crops with these properties that can be cultivated so far north. Therefore, it is also important for preparedness reasons to maintain the area and expertise. It is also important to try to promote cultivation with as little environmental impact (chemical pesticides) as possible, and in this regard, many growers in our countries are at the forefront, says Olle Anderbrant, coordinator of the researcher network “Developing Integrated Pest Management in Nordic currant production“.

The researchers have collected up to date information about the most urgent needs for research when it comes to plant protection. An inventory of major pests and diseases in each country has been made based on published and previously unpublished information. These data form the background for a summary of the situation within the region as a whole and will point out research fields to prioritize in the future.

They have also taken previous and expected climatic changes into account and looked into possible changes of pest control regulations.

Collaboration between countries with similar environment and pests and diseases enables sharing ideas, resources and finally production of successful research proposals focusing on berry crops that have received less attention compared to strawberry and raspberry. By collaboration between countries, it should be easier to produce successful research proposals.

In the northern agricultural EU region, i.e., the Nordic and Baltic countries, currant and gooseberry production has a long tradition. Due to various economic and regulatory conditions these berries are nowadays mainly produced in the countries east of the Baltic Sea.

The network will continue exchanging information to the benefit of berry production and crop improvement in northern Europe. The project members have participated in various scientific and outreach meetings and presented the network and its ambitions.

The roadshow is designed to engage a target audience through presentations, demonstrations, and to offer networking opportunities. We aim to connect the testbed members with relevant startups, end-users, other testbeds, and other important stakeholders focusing on digitalisation in the bioeconomy sectors throughout the Nordic and Baltic region.

In Klaipeda, the practical implementation, innovation potential, and commercialisation pathways of RAS technologies will be highlighted. The event will showcase the Aquaculture Competence Centre at KSTP, including ongoing experiments focused on advancing recirculating aquaculture technologies and sustainable production models.

Participants will be introduced to an innovative RAS-based spin-off company, AquaQlt, which recently received a patent for its shrimp tower technology. The event will also include a visit to Klaipėda University, Marine Research Institute, Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory, strengthening the link between research, pilot infrastructure, and commercialisation.

The event will target:

• Aquaculture companies and fish farmers
• Startups developing RAS technologies or related digital solutions
• Technology providers
• Researchers and students
• Public authorities and policy stakeholders
• Investors and innovation support organisations

Get more information and the see the programme here!

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) is an advanced, closed water system used to cultivate fish and shellfish in controlled environments, such as indoors or in tanks. The system is designed to reuse water through continuous filtration and purification, minimising the need for fresh water and reducing environmental impact compared to traditional aquaculture.

The project, coordinated by University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute, in collaboration with partners from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, and Lithuania, will over 36 months map, analyze, and develop strategies for seven regional food systems. Nordic Agri Research (NKJ) is also participating.

– The transnational observatory planned by the project will be an important complement to our previous work on Nordic cooperation in the food sector. Recent events make it especially important to strengthen collaboration and the exchange of experiences regarding the vulnerabilities in food systems that we have observed over a longer period, says Per Hansson, Secretary General of NKJ.

By identifying vulnerabilities, engaging local stakeholders, and creating cross-sectoral strategic plans, RegioFoods aims to promote long-term sustainability and resilience. The project also contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as zero hunger, responsible consumption, and innovation.

RegioFoods represents an important step toward establishing a transnational observatory for food systems, which could also serve as a model for other regions in Europe.

For more information about the project and its partners, visit the project page.

The report builds on previous Nordic policy work on farm diversification and youth engagement. It responds to pressing concerns facing rural areas, including urbanisation, an ageing workforce, skills mismatches and difficulties in attracting young people to rural careers.

– Young entrepreneurs in diversified farming navigate a landscape of financial risk, regulatory complexity, and changing identities. Platforms where they can meet, share knowledge and experiences, and grow together are crucial, says Julia Fyr, project coordinator and part of the steering group behind the report.

Entrepreneurship rooted in place

The five role models come from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. While their businesses differ – ranging from farm shops and food processing to dairy production, goat cheese and greenhouse horticulture – they share a strong connection to place, family and local communities.

Several of the entrepreneurs have taken over long-established family farms, combining respect for tradition with new business models. Others have entered agriculture from entirely different professions, bringing fresh skills in areas such as marketing and innovation.

Diversification and resilience

A key message of the report is the importance of diversification. The featured entrepreneurs have strengthened their businesses by developing multiple income streams, such as value-added food production, direct sales through farm shops, welfare services, guided visits and niche products tailored to local demand.

This diversification not only improves profitability but also increases resilience in the face of external risks, including volatile markets, climate impacts and rising energy costs.

Community, visibility and courage

Across all five cases, community orientation stands out as a common strength. Farms are described not only as production sites, but also as social meeting places that create local value and strengthen rural cohesion.

Another shared factor is visibility. The entrepreneurs actively communicate their stories through social media, customer interaction and public engagement, helping to build trust, demand and understanding of modern agriculture.

Finally, the report highlights courage and perseverance as essential qualities. From crowdfunding new ventures to investing in niche production and making early leadership decisions, the role models demonstrate a willingness to take calculated risks and learn by doing.

Inspiration for the next generation

By showcasing real-life examples, the report aims to inspire young people, policymakers and stakeholders to see rural entrepreneurship as a viable and meaningful career path. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, it emphasises the importance of starting from local conditions, building on existing assets and adapting business models to specific contexts.

Inspiring rural entrepreneurs: Five Nordic role models provides concrete insights into how rural businesses can contribute to sustainable food systems, vibrant communities and a resilient Nordic bioeconomy.

Swedish text

Fem nordiska förebilder belyser framtiden för landsbygdsföretagande

Unga företagare på landsbygden i de nordiska länderna visar hur innovation, tradition och engagemang i lokalsamhället kan gå hand i hand. En ny rapport, Inspirerande landsbygdsföretagare: Fem nordiska förebilder, presenterar fem personliga berättelser som illustrerar hur landsbygdsföretag kan frodas trots demografiska, strukturella och ekonomiska utmaningar.

Rapporten bygger på tidigare nordiskt policyarbete om diversifiering inom jordbruk och ungdomsengagemang. Den svarar på brådskande utmaningar för landsbygden som urbanisering, en åldrande arbetskraftsstyrka, kompetensbrist och svårigheter att locka unga till de gröna yrkena.

Företagande förankrat i platsen
De fem förebilderna kommer från Sverige, Finland, Norge, Danmark och Island. Deras verksamheter skiljer sig åt; från gårdsbutiker och livsmedelsförädling till mjölkproduktion, getost och växthusodling – men de delar en stark koppling till platsen, familjen och lokalsamhället.

Flera av företagarna har tagit över gårdar som varit i släkten i generationer och kombinerar respekt för traditioner med nya affärsmodeller. Andra har kommit in i jordbruket från helt andra yrken och bidrar med nya kunskaper inom områden som marknadsföring och innovation.

Diversifiering och motståndskraft
Ett centralt budskap i rapporten är vikten av diversifiering. De framgångsrika företagarna har stärkt sina verksamheter genom att utveckla flera inkomstkällor, som förädlade livsmedel, direktkontakt med kunden via gårdsbutiker, välfärdstjänster, guidade besök och nischprodukter anpassade efter lokal efterfrågan.

Denna diversifiering förbättrar inte bara lönsamheten utan ökar också motståndskraften mot yttre risker som svängande marknader, klimatpåverkan och stigande energikostnader.

Gemenskap, synlighet och mod
I alla fem fallen framhålls engagemang i lokalsamhället som en gemensam styrka. Gårdarna beskrivs inte bara som produktionsplatser, utan också som sociala mötesplatser som skapar lokalt värde och stärker sammanhållningen på landsbygden.

En annan gemensam faktor är synlighet. Företagarna kommunicerar aktivt sina berättelser genom sociala medier, kundinteraktion och offentligt engagemang, vilket bidrar till att bygga förtroende, efterfrågan och förståelse för det moderna jordbruket.

Slutligen lyfter rapporten fram mod och uthållighet som avgörande egenskaper. Från crowdfunding av nya projekt till investeringar i nischproduktion och tidiga ledarbeslut visar förebilderna en vilja att ta beräknade risker och lära sig genom att göra.

Inspiration för nästa generation
Genom att lyfta fram verkliga personer och företag hoppas rapportförfattarna inspirera unga, beslutsfattare och intressenter att se landsbygdsföretagande som en hållbar och meningsfull karriärväg. I stället för enhetliga lösningar betonas vikten av att utgå från lokala förutsättningar, bygga vidare på befintliga resurser och anpassa affärsmodeller till specifika sammanhang.

Inspirerande landsbygdsföretagare: Fem nordiska förebilder ger konkreta insikter i hur landsbygdsföretag kan bidra till hållbara livsmedelssystem, levande samhällen och en resilient nordisk bioekonomi.

NOTE: This content was developed with the support of AI tools and has been thoroughly reviewed for accuracy.

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!

DOWNLOAD THE ABSTRACT BOOK

The long-term goal for the conference is to strengthens preparedness and resilience in reindeer husbandry. This helps ensure that reindeer production remains sustainable, climate-adapted, and low-impact, while protecting animal welfare and supporting Sámi culture and northern food systems in a rapidly changing climate.

Around 50 network members across Fennoscandia participated during the three conference days.

The TARANDUS network provides a forum for sharing knowledge on reindeer health and welfare and creates new research ideas and new transdisciplinary collaborations within and between countries. The conference also creates opportunities for PhD students and early-career researchers to learn, network, and present their work through student travel grants of which six were awarded for this conference.

The conference is coordinated by the Swedish Veterinary Agency, Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and the Norwegian Reindeer Health Advisory Service (Reinhelsetjenesten).