From Lab to Field
© TRANSPLANT
© TRANSPLANT
3rd TRANSPLANT DAY: Engaging Farmers to Impact Society Through Applied Plant Research
Research Transfer as a Shared Purpose
TRANSPLANT DAYS and TRANSPLANT are part of a collaborative initiative that unites institutions with complementary strengths and a shared mission: ensuring that plant science translates into tangible societal impact. While Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the University of Cologne (UoC) offer world-class expertise in fundamental plant science research, the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) in Kleve contributes strengths in practice-oriented and applied plant science. Together, these universities and their partners form a robust ecosystem for research transfer—building bridges between plant science and societal needs across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and beyond.
From Lab to Farm: Making Applied Plant Science Research Relevant to Society
The 3rd TRANSPLANT DAY highlighted CEPLAS's commitment to advancing research transfer in plant sciences, with a focus on practical applications in agriculture. Hosted at HSRW in Kleve, the event emphasized long-term collaboration among scientists, startups, and farmers to support sustainable agricultural systems.
Prof. Dr. Jens Gebauer (HSRW) opened the event with insights on participatory and applied research, followed by Prof. Dr. Guido Grossmann (HHU), who presented CEPLAS's TRANSPLANT objectives.
Dr. Jan Dietrich, Innovation Manager at HSRW, moderated the program. Participants explored key topics, including regional collaboration, field experimentation, and knowledge transfer. Expert talks and a panel discussion examined both the barriers—such as lack of incentives and communication—and the opportunities for fostering agroecological and technological innovation.
Highlights of the third TRANSPLANT DAY
Dr. Jan Dietrich opened the highlight session by introducing speakers whose work exemplifies how plant science research can be translated into farming practice through real-world collaboration. The talks showcased complementary approaches rooted in partnerships with practitioners and iterative development.
Débora Monteiro Moretti, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of NutriSen, shared how their smart biosensor—developed with support from the European Innovation Council (EIC)—enables farmers to monitor plant nutrient levels in real time. The technology evolved through ongoing feedback from farmers in several countries, illustrating the value of user-centered innovation.
Anna-Lea Ortmann and Hendrik van Aken presented the Agroforst Living Lab, a collaboration between HSRW researchers and Berkhöfel Farm. Their participatory approach has led to agroforestry system trials, student-led projects, and drought-tolerant rootstock experiments—demonstrating how academic research can be embedded in practical farming.
Kathrin Overkämping, Project Coordinator at Agrobusiness Niederrhein and AGROPOLE, highlighted cross-border platforms advancing applied research. Projects such as smart irrigation pilots and insect-based fertilizer testing show how universities, businesses, and policymakers can work together to bring innovations to market.
In the panel discussion, also moderated by Dr. Dietrich, participants explored how scientists and farmers can collaborate more effectively to drive sustainable innovation. Luc Boekholt (City of Kleve) emphasized the role of municipalities in supporting research-based sustainability, while Ruth Laakmann (Schanzenhof Niederrhein) provided a farmer’s perspective on the expectations and challenges of engaging with research.
Together, the talks and panel underscored how participatory research, user-driven development, and multi-actor networks are creating meaningful agricultural impact. The event reinforced the core goal of TRANSPLANT DAYS: fostering collaboration between scientists, farmers, and innovators to build sustainable and responsive agricultural systems. It also highlighted ongoing challenges—such as limited time, funding gaps, misaligned incentives, inadequate performance indicators, and communication barriers.
TRANSPLANT DAYS: Building a Community of Impact
As Dr. Ricardo Godínez Moreno, Innovation Manager at TRANSPLANT/HHU, notes:
“The TRANSPLANT DAYS series bridges the gap between fundamental, applied research and their impact on society. By fostering a culture of LEARNING about research transfer, enabling strong CONNECTIONS, and pursuing tangible IMPACT, TRANSPLANT DAYS are building a vibrant and growing cross-sector community. Through sustained research transfer efforts and repeated engagement, we aim to align science more closely with the needs and challenges of society.”
Want to be part of the next TRANSPLANT DAY?
Follow CEPLAS on LinkedIn and visit the TRANSPLANT Events Overview. Join us at the 4th TRANSPLANT DAY, during Future Tech Fest on Thursday, September 11, focused on how government, industry, and venture capital can drive science-based innovation in plant research and beyond.