MIXED - Multi-actor and transdisciplinary development of efficient and resilient MIXED farming and agroforestry systems

Geographical location	Denmark
Main geographical location (NUTS3)	Østjylland
Keywords	Agricultural production system Farming practice Landscape / land management Farming / forestry competitiveness and diversification Climate and climate change Forestry Biodiversity and nature management Soil management / functionality
Main funding source	Horizon 2020 (EU Research & Innovation programme)
Project Identification	Multi-actor project
Project type	Research project
Starting date	2020
End date	2024
Project status	Ongoing
Website	MIXED website

Title (in English):

Objective of the project (native language):

see objectives in English

Objective of the project (in English):

MIXED supports the development of European Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems (MiFAS) that optimize efficiency and resource use, reduce GHG emissions, and show greater resilience to climate change by considering agronomic, technical, environmental, economic, institutional, infrastructure and social advantages and constraints. The project will assess impacts of MiFAS at farm, landscape and value chains level, in collaboration with networks of farmers, and support the transition to MiFAS through farmer-to-farmer exchange of knowledge and decision support at farm and policy level.

Description of activities (in English):

• Co-creation of knowledge and innovations for enhanced Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems (MiFAS)
• Development of efficient and resilient MiFAS and assessment of effects of MiFAS on environment, climate change resilience and other ecosystem services
• Decision-support for MiFAS to ease farmers’ transition to MiFAS
• Estimations at multiple scales of consequences of the introduction of MiFAS for the development of supporting policies
• Communication of MiFAS and dissemination of project results

Project coordinator

Contact person:

AARHUS UNIVERSITET - Tommy Dalgaard

Address:

Department of Agroecology - Agricultural Systems and Sustainability Blichers Allé 20 8830 Tjele Denmark

E-mail:

tommy.dalgaard@agro.au.dk

Phone:

+4587157746, +4520706132

Partner category:

Researcher

Project partners

Contact person:

AARHUS UNIVERSITET - Tommy Dalgaard

Address:

Department of Agroecology - Agricultural Systems and Sustainability Blichers Allé 20 8830 Tjele Denmark

E-mail:

tommy.dalgaard@agro.au.dk

Phone:

+4587157746, +4520706132

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

FiBL, Switzerland - Catherine Pfeifer

Address:

ACKERSTRASSE 113, FRICK 5070, Switzerland

E-mail:

catherine.pfeifer@fibl.org

Phone:

+41 (0)62 865-6380

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

Aberystwyth University, UK - Pip Nicholas-Davies

Address:

VISUALISATION CENTRE PENGLAIS, ABERYSTWYTH SY23 3BF, United Kingdom

E-mail:

pkn@aber.ac.uk

Phone:

+44 (0)1970622240

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

Wageningen University, NL - Miranda Meuwissen

Address:

DROEVENDAALSESTEEG 4, WAGENINGEN 6708 PB, Netherlands,

E-mail:

miranda.meuwissen@wur.nl

Phone:

31317480100

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

SRUC, UK - Christine Watson

Address:

WEST MAINS ROAD, EDINBURGH EH9 3JG, United Kingdom

E-mail:

Christine.watson@sruc.ac.uk

Phone:

+ 44 (0) 1224 711143

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

INRAE, France - Francesco Accatino

Address:

65, Boulevard de Brandebourg, 94200 Ivry sur Seine, France

E-mail:

francesco.accatino@inrae.fr

Phone:

+33 (0) 149696915

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

IUNG-PIB, Poland - Jarosław Stalenga

Address:

CZARTORYSKICH 8, PULAWY 24 100, Poland

E-mail:

stalenga@iung.pulawy.pl

Phone:

+48814786808, +480605987447

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

Institute of Agricultural Economics, Romania - Camelia Gavrilescu

Address:

CALEA 13 SEPTEMBRIE, 13, BUCHAREST 050711, Romania

E-mail:

cami_gavrilescu@yahoo.com

Phone:

+40 213182411

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

Innovation Centre for Organic Farming (ICOEL), Denmark - Julie Rohde Birk

Address:

Agro Food Park 15, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark

E-mail:

juli@icoel.dk

Phone:

+45 25 42 93 03

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

AGROOF, France - Fabian Liagre

Address:

19 RUE DU LUXEMBOURG, ANDUZE 30140, France

E-mail:

liagre@agroof.net

Phone:

04 66 56 85 47

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

CONSULAI, Portugal - Carolina Ramos

Address:

Rua da Junqueira, 61 G | 1300-307 LISBOA - PORTUGAL

E-mail:

cramos@consulai.com

Phone:

(+351) 213 629 553, (+351) 913 835 585

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

ISA-UL, Portugal - Claudia Marques dos Santos Cordovil

Address:

Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal

E-mail:

cms@isa.ulisboa.pt

Phone:

+351 21 3653424

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

SAOS, UK - Fergus Younger

Address:

THE RURAL CENTRE WEST MAINS INGLISTON, NEWBRIDGE MIDLOTHIAN, EH28 8NZ, United Kingdom

E-mail:

Fergus.Younger@saos.coop

Phone:

7771966649

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

IFLS, Germany - Simone Sterly

Address:

KURFUERSTENSTRASSE 49, FRANKFURT AM MAIN 60486, Germany

E-mail:

sterly@ifls.de

Phone:

+49 69 972668315

Partner category:

Researcher

Contact person:

FSK Juchowo, Poland - Anna Szumelda

Address:

UL. JUCHOWO 54 A, SILNOWO 78 446, Poland

E-mail:

anna.szumelda@juchowo.org

Phone:

+48 94 3753821

Partner category:

SME

Contact person:

ARGE Donaumoss, Germany - Ulrich Mäck

Address:

RADSTRASSE 7A, Leipheim 89340, Germany

E-mail:

maeck@arge-donaumoos.de

Phone:

08221-7441

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

Hochstamm Suisse, Switzerland - Pierre Coulin

Address:

DORNACHERSTRASSE 192, BASEL 4053, Switzerland

E-mail:

pierre.coulin@hochstamm-suisse.ch

Phone:

+41 (0)79 401 36 63

Partner category:

Adviser

Contact person:

GAL-TP, Romania - Vergina Chiritescu

Address:

BD ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA 4, DOMNESTI 117370, Romania

E-mail:

tudradu@gmail.com

Phone:

+40 746 271 669

Partner category:

Representative of an NGO

Practice summary

Practice abstract 1

Short title (native language):

MIXED multi-actor and participatory approach

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

In the MIXED project, the hypothesis is that the development of more Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems (MiFAS) is key to delivering multiple needs. Researchers, advisors and farmers will work together with other actors in the rural environment to demonstrate this in selected collaborative networks of farmers in 10 countries across Europe, serving as showcases for successful implementation of MiFAS.
Multi-actor approach: In each of the 10 countries the project is implemented by a national team of researchers, a network coordinator (NGO, farmers’ organization, or consultancy), and a network/group of farmers practicing. Project activities aimed at developing MiFAS involves research pilots at farm level as well as landscape level and value chains. Furthermore, the activities aimed at developing decision support for farm level as well as policy level will in the process address stakeholders at multiple levels.
Participatory approach: Co-creation of knowledge and innovations is fundamental in MIXED. The project involves a series of workshops with the networks of farmers focussed on bottlenecks and solutions. Through the workshops small-scale action research projects supporting the development and implementation of MiFAS will be identified and implemented by farmers.
Farmer-to-farmer dissemination: To facilitate that the knowledge generated by farmers will be made available to other farmers, the national teams will document this in videos, photos and storytelling made available at the project website and through various social media as well as through field days and stakeholder workshops.
Read more on co-creation of knowledge and innovation in MIXED: https://cutt.ly/yDUi2SM

Practice abstract 2

Short title (native language):

Common visions for mixed farming and agroforestry systems in Europe – but different pathways to get there

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

To develop an understanding of the current state of mixed farming in Europe a participatory back casting approach was implemented in the MIXED project to identify possible transition pathways to future sustainable mixed farming systems. “Back casting” sets targets at a future date based on expert judgment, best available technologies, and other factors, with technical pathways subsequently developed for achieving those targets by working backwards in time towards the present. It is a problem-solving approach which enables stakeholders to set priorities, rank solutions and identify steps that need to be taken (and when) to reach desired outcomes.
The back casting workshops were conducted in all 10 countries participating in the MIXED project. In total 13 workshops took place in the UK (Scotland), Austria, France (2), Germany (2), Denmark (2), Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, and The Netherlands.
The following six broad themes of challenges were identified from the workshop outputs:
• Technical issues
• Knowledge and skills
• Farm business
• Supply chain
• Policy
• Cultural challenges
Each of these individual challenges is further divided into sub-categories. The full report and overview of categories can be found here:
https://projects.au.dk/fileadmin/projects/mixed/MIXED_D1.1.pdf
Outputs from the back casting workshops are extremely important for not only providing context for the development of mixed farming and agroforestry in Europe but they also provide alternative future pathways and scenarios for testing in the various activities in MIXED.

Practice abstract 3

Short title (native language):

New comprehensive catalogue of scientific literature about mixed farming and agroforestry (D3.1)

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

The project MIXED has completed an initial introductory review of research projects and the wider literature on the topic of mixed farming and agroforestry in Europe.
The result of this thorough literature study is a comprehensive catalogue, which can be used as a go-to resource for the further work in the MIXED project. The catalogue can also be used as a solid starting point by other projects within mixed farming and agroforestry as a field of research.
The present catalogue contains a database of literature bibliography of 882 records and a Project Matrix of 52 projects and their focus areas. Even though the content of the database is comprehensive, the catalogue cannot be considered as a complete list.
A point worth paying attention to when reviewing the existing literature, is that mixed farming and agroforestry is a very broad concept and the complexity surrounding its definition can pose challenges on the selection between what is included and what is not. As an example, organic farming systems often are within the definition of a mixed system but may not identify themselves as such. For that reason, there may be further relevant research projects that are not included in the present catalogue – not because such research projects were discarded, but because of differences in terminology and categorisation and therefore may not have been identified.
Furthermore, 22 projects from France were discarded from the analysis, because the dissemination of the research projects were not available in English, which highlights another potential barrier for knowledgebase sharing in the broad field of mixed farming and agroforestry.
Read more https://projects.au.dk/fileadmin/projects/mixed/MIXED_D3.1.pdf

Practice abstract 4

Short title (native language):

Framework for development of mixed-farming and agroforestry systems

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

In the MIXED project, a framework is needed to give a general context to all the activities, including participatory workshops, data collections, and modelling. The framework includes conceptual tools for studying the transition to Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems (MiFAS) and for assessing its performance. Transition to improved MiFAS is expected to be key to climate-change adaptation and to promote farming systems not only merely focused on food production, but also on other ecosystem services, while being financially attractive, efficient in resource use, and resilient to fluctuating environmental and socio-economic conditions. Assessing the performance of a MiFAS is an important condition for promoting and guiding its transition, therefore, the MIXED framework provides ways of assessing environmental, economic, and social aspects, along with aspects related to resilience and efficiency. First, the framework defines the concept of ‘mixedness’ at different levels: farm, landscape, value chain, country, Europe. Thereafter, it explains
• The transition to MiFAS at all levels along with barriers and enables to transition
• The concepts of sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
The framework may be adapted and applied to other projects or initiatives that address transformation to more efficient and resilient production systems in complex, multidisciplinary and multidimensional system.
Read more https://projects.au.dk/fileadmin/projects/mixed/MIXED_D6.1.pdf

Practice abstract 5

Short title (native language):

Handbook of indicators – a basis for assessing changes in system functioning, farm management for efficiency and resilience

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

The project, MIXED, has developed a supportive guide - the Handbook of indicators - to be used in the collection of farm level data across all work areas in MIXED.
The list of indicators in the Handbook includes basic agronomic and environmental indicators, and indicators developed to measure integration from the point of view of the farming system. The indicators and data collection points described in the Handbook addresses soil, crop, livestock, environmental impacts, economics, social aspects, the position of farmers in respective value chains and efficiency and resilience of Mixed farming and agroforestry systems (MiFAS).
The process of making the Handbook of indicators
Indicators of resilience and efficiency at farm level were collected and discussed among the researchers responsible for analysing mixed farming systems in the project. After extending this into a first list of indicators among the authors - the list was discussed, refined, and prioritized according to relevance for efficiency and resilience of MIFAS and the needs of project partners.
The Handbook is a base for data collection in MIXED
The Handbook is not a full and completely comprehensive list of any indicators you might think about, it is a base for data collection. In many cases there will be a need for adaptation to the individual MiFAS situation - each MIFAS has its own specificities and additional indicators may be necessary.
Read the full description of "Handbook of indicators and methodology for assessing changes in system functioning, farm management for efficiency and resilience”: https://projects.au.dk/fileadmin/ingen_mappe_valgt/PDFs/MIXED_D2.2.pdf

Practice abstract 6

Short title (native language):

Integrated production of pastures, cork, and high value meat products – the Montado mixed system

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

In Portugal the MIXED project is implemented by ISA-UL, CONSULAI and a network of farmers practicing Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems, in particular the Montado, a UNESCO protected Mediterranean mixed system, comprising agroforestry activities and extensive livestock production. The Montado system is dominated by scattered oak trees (Q. suber, Q. ilex, Q. rotundifolia), associated with pastures, forages, or feed crops. The livestock (beef cattle, sheep, goats and/or pigs) is characterised by low stocking rates, adapted to the poor soils and unfavourable climate conditions.
Farmers joined the MIXED network in Portugal with a motivation of sharing experiences and improving their practices. Climate change and soil degradation, as well as poor crop management practices, have opened the floor to the decline of the Montado, due to low organic matter contents, soil erosion, and the proliferation of pests. A new paradigm is required to adapt to climate change, while ensuring the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the farms. The PT network aims at restoring and modernising the Montado ecosystem, by working in collaboration with farmers, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders. The main objective is to find solutions for the future and develop more sustainable management practices, with the interests of stakeholders at all levels of the value chain.
The network integrates 15 farms, with over 20.000 hectares of farmland in the Alentejo region, south of Portugal. The aim is to share experiences and improve practices to be both efficient and resilient, increasing economic returns and providing eco-system services for the benefit of society and the environment. Read more: https://cutt.ly/IDUplhe

Practice abstract 7

Short title (native language):

Improved nutrient cycling and green biomass production via biorefinery and farm collaboration

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

In Denmark, MIXED is working with a subgroup of 8-15 farmers, practicing a mix of livestock and crop production, situated in a watershed with shallow estuaries and groundwater reservoirs for drinking water extraction, vulnerable to nitrogen leaching (168,000 Ha), where farmers are required to reduce the nitrate leaching significantly. Together with MIXED they will investigate ways of doing that with focus on a new biorefinery technology combined with biogas production and sustainable grassland management.
The bio-refinery technology can transform grass to a high-quality protein, e.g. to be used for a growing organic pig and poultry production (SuperGrassPork) independent of imported soybean based protein, and with two by-products - a fibre-pulp for ruminant fodder, and a ‘juice’ that can also be used for biogas production and bio-based fertilisers for fodder and cash crops. The group of farmers are part of a larger initiative – a collaboration between Aarhus University, local municipalities, farmers and bio-based industries, with the objective to support local food production, a more circular economy, and at the same time protect environment and reduce climate impacts.
It is expected that MIXED will help farmers to reduce the nitrate leaching, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing efficiency as well as resilience by reducing the areas with cereals and replace it with grass and clover grass for a more diverse range of products, and other types of land use. Thereby it can serve as an enabler for a more sustainable agricultural production, including potentials for more organic farming, and a more diverse agricultural landscapes.
Read more: https://cutt.ly/7DUgqcE

Further details

Audiovisual material:

MIXED Youtube

MIXEDInterviews E1 | Sylvain Quiédeville | FiBL

MIXEDInterviews E2 | Fergus Younger | SAOS

Description of the context of the project:

MIXED explores the benefits of mixed farming and agroforestry systems (MiFAS) to climate, environment, and society in general and support the further development of such systems. The assumption is that MiFAS have the potential to be both efficient and resilient and at the same time and provide eco-system services for the benefit of society and the environment. The different networks (organic and conventional farmers) have different knowledge and experience that others can benefit from. In MIXED, we create the opportunity for farmers to learn from each other and for researchers to learn from and generate new knowledge from undertaking research together with farmers. The project works with these groups of farmers and develop networks across Europe covering a wide range of different mixed agricultural and agroforestry systems. Joint activities between researchers and farmers will create valuable scientific knowledge about the methods and systems, how best to facilitate a wider take-up of MiFAS across Europe and how policies can support this.
MiFAS come in many shapes and dimensions – operating within a field, a farm, between farms or even in an entire landscape or food-chain. The concept aims at optimizing the use of resources through collaboration and diversified production (crops, trees, animals) where the different enterprises benefit from each other. Resources can be used more efficiently in MiFAS, for example, by using crops, grasslands and woody vegetation to feed and shelter animals and fertilise fields with manure from the animals, as well as provide benefits such as sequester carbon in the system and improve biodiversity.

Additional information:

MIXED involves networks of farmers that practice or are in the process of transforming to MiFAS. Systems such as different forms of organic and non-organic agroforestry, land/manure/nutrients as well as grazing exchange between arable and livestock farmers, (re)wetting of arable land in livestockarable land exchange and agrotourism are all represented in the MIXED networks.

Additional comments:

Who: MIXED consists of 19 partners from 10 different EU countries, with Aarhus University, Department of Agroecology in Denmark, as the coordinator of the project. MIXED is using a multi-actor approach whereby various stakeholders will be involved throughout the project.
Where: MIXED involves 10 networks of farmers that practice or are in the process of transforming to MiFAS across Europe, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom.
What: Systems such as different forms of organic and non-organic agroforestry, land/manure/nutrients as well as grazing exchange between arable and livestock farmers, (re)wetting of arable land in livestock arable land exchange and agrotourism are all represented in the MIXED networks.
When: The project duration is from October 2020 and 4 years onwards.