Healthy people and the planet require sustainable food systems. This stands at the heart of the European Green Deal. Its associated 'From Farm to Fork' strategy therefore pursues food sustainability calling for a redesign of our food systems which today cause nearly one-third of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The ZFarming project focused on aeroponics, the process of growing plants without soil, and reduces the environmental and climate impact of primary production by: (1) decreasing GHG emissions, (2) decreasing the use and risk of chemical pesticides, (3) recirculating fertilisers to reduce pressure on agricultural land. The concrete objectives of the ZFarming project were: 1.To build awareness and enable youth participation in sustainable zero-acreage farming — aeroponics —,whilst making learning on green innovations more accessible to groups with fewer opportunities 2.To gain experience with youth-focused learning methods on future-oriented non-ground crop production in sustainable farming 3. To engage youth and youth workers in the circular bio-based economy with food and water waste prevention and stimulate rural development and urban resilience.
At the mobility event in 9-15 November 2021 RELEARN Suderbyn and Bulduri Technical School members met for the first time in Denmark during Erasmus+ "MAKE YOUTH WORK - GREEN" organised by Danish network for eco-communities, Landsforeningen for Økosamfund. During the activity it was realised that both organisations were working with youth on developing aeroponics as a contribution to greener sustainable farming. Although approaches were very different- Suderbyn used an eco-friendly approach and Bulduri used conventional high-tech, precise approach. It was concluded that both parties have lots to learn from each other as well as there is lacking information on how to build your own small aeroponic system so a small scale partnership was formed to fill out the knowledge gaps and to bring awareness of zero acreage farming.