On 22nd of September, the first sowing of Brassica carinata took place on a field managed by a farmer from the Cereales Teruel cooperative. The plant covered an area of 0.84 hectares within an extensive field of approximately 11.46 hectares, with the rest being sown with rapeseed (around 10.62 hectares).

As we embark on a transformative journey with the CARINA Project, we’re on a mission to evaluate the sustainability of specific bio-product value chains featuring Carinata and Camelina, two innovative oilseed crops. Our aim is to create low iLUC feedstocks that empower the bio-based economy. 

This is where you, our valued stakeholders, play an important role. Whether you’re a potential user, operator, or supporter of CARINA, we invite you to help shape our sustainability metrics. By collaborating to define key indicators, you become an essential part of our sustainability journey. 

Sharing your insights is easy and impactful. Spend just 15 minutes completing our survey, and your contribution will fuel the sustainability of our initiatives. You can take the survey here: https://unibodipsa.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bOSS4XpaII1Lmo6  

If you know others whose perspectives could be golden, please pass this message along. Your collective wisdom is our treasure! 

For those who are data enthusiasts, rest assured that the University of Bologna oversees data processing. You can read the data processing details here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HdqoyAjGq932DwGjsrRnIPW14uJfR9Mt/view  

Survey Structure: 

Our survey is designed to gather your insights effectively. It’s divided into five sections with around eight questions in total: 

General Information (up to 4 questions)
Introduction to the Topic 
Environmental Sustainability (up to 2 questions) 
Social Sustainability (up to 2 questions) 
Economic Sustainability (up to 2 questions) 
Integration (up to 2 questions) 
Comments (1 question) 

We sincerely thank you for your willingness and your time. Together, we’re lighting the way towards a more sustainable future in farming! 

Poznan, Poland. CARINA project team, convened last month in Poznan, Poland, for their impactful General Assembly. This assembly, hosted by the prestigious University of Life Sciences in Poznan, was not just a meeting but a hub of innovation and forward-thinking ideas in sustainable agriculture.

The assembly focused on the status of CARINA project, aimed at revolutionizing sustainable agriculture through the cultivation and utilization of the camelina and carinata oilseed crops. This gathering of minds in Poznan was instrumental in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture, with team members engaging in in-depth discussions about the current and future trajectories of the project.

The team carefully evaluated the CARINA project’s progress, exploring innovative strategies to enhance its impact on the bioeconomy and sustainable practices. The outcomes of these discussions formed a comprehensive action plan, marking a significant step to sustainable agriculture and innovation.

Additionally, the event served as a platform for showcasing the intersection of sustainable agriculture and cultural heritage. The team’s exploration of Poznan, including a retro tram tour and a visit to the Agricultural Experimental Units at the University, highlighted the city’s contributions to the bioeconomy and sustainable agricultural practices.

As the project moves forward, the team’s experience in Poznan reinforces their commitment to innovation in sustainable agriculture. The assembly’s outcomes promise to propel the project to new heights in the circular bioeconomy sector, contributing significantly to the global efforts in sustainable agriculture.

On 17th of August 2023, PEDAL Consulting s.r.o. presented Carina at workshop titled ‘Sharing our Experiences – Transferring Insights from International Projects to Agricultural Policymaking.’ This workshop was part of a 4-day event, 48th International Agricultural and Food Exhibition AGROKOMPLEX 2023 in Nitra, Slovakia.

In the face of climate change and its devastating impacts, finding sustainable and resilient agricultural practices has become more critical than ever. One such innovation that is gaining traction as an alternative to combat drought and promote sustainable farming practices is camelina. On 21 June, Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España (Spanish Co-ops) and Camelina Company (CCE) organized a field visit for members of the Alcamancha cooperative to learn about the potential of the camelina crop and its benefits for the agricultural sector.

On July 5th, the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA) held a conference titled ‘Promotion of the Andalusian bioeconomy through European projects’ at its newly established headquarters in Malaga Tech Park in Spain. The event served as a platform to bring together various initiatives funded by European resources that are dedicated to the advancement of bioeconomy in Andalusia. Supported by the European projects SCALE-UP and BIOTRANSFORM, the conference showcased 18 initiatives focused on biomass utilization and sustainable development within the region.

ARVALIS, recently organized the Les Culturales field show, a two-day event that attracted more than 15,000 visitors. The event primarily targeted farmers, agricultural advisors, students, researchers, and economic operators in the arable crops sector.

Lubosz, June 7, 2023 – A field workshop focused on the Carina project took place on June 7th in Lubosz, bringing together 23 farmers and landowners. The event aimed to showcase the growth and development of winter camelina, spring camelina, and carinata under field conditions. Led by the scientific staff (from University of Poznan) of the Carina project, the workshop shed light on crucial aspects of agrotechnical treatments involved in cultivating these plants. Local farmers and students had the opportunity to learn about the current and future techniques while discussing the possibilities of growing crops on marginal land and as intercropping options.

Sielinko, Poland – The Carina project team from the Poznań University of Life Sciences (PULS) made a significant impact at the Polish National Field Days held from June 3 to 6, 2023. The team actively participated in the event, which was organized by the Agricultural Advisory Center in Poznań, and successfully spread awareness about the Carina project to a diverse audience.

[Bologna, Italy] – The CARINA project, has garnered significant attention at the European Biomass
Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE). Presented by Federica Zanetti, a distinguished Senior Assistant
Professor in Agronomy and Field Crops at the University of Bologna, CARINA has captivated attendees
with its research and advancements.