Rebuilding soil organic matter: farming in eastern Austria

Collective learning for soil care

Many Austrian farmers who adapt their management describe climate change as their main motivation. More frequent droughts, heavy rainfall, and unpredictable growing seasons create pressure to rethink how farming is done. Instead of waiting for political solutions, these farmers experiment on their own fields to make their farms more resilient, often combining ideas from organic, conventional, and other sustainable systems.

A key idea connecting them is Humusaufbau — the build-up of soil organic matter. Farmers see healthy, carbon-rich soil as the foundation for better crop growth, more stable yields, improved water storage, and a stronger buffer against climate extremes. This shared goal helps bring together farmers from different backgrounds, reducing the traditional divide between organic and conventional farming.

"The only system that can help us overcome all these things is soil that is intact, that fulfills all its functions, and that serves as a buffer… And that is actually my goal. Humusaufbau is part of that — the soil as a buffer needs to be developed and stabilized for the future."

"Together with other colleagues, in 2019, we took the step and founded an association in Austria where we share knowledge among farmers. Our approach is that not everyone needs to make the same mistakes but rather learn from mistakes and develop together step by step."

Community plays an important role. Farmer networks and associations allow knowledge to be shared so others do not repeat the same mistakes. Learning from each other strengthens motivation and speeds up innovation. Through this process, a new image of a "good farmer" emerges — one who actively cares for the soil and prepares their land for a changing climate.

Optional: Find out more about farmers, regenerative agriculture and transformation in Gosnell et al. (2019).