The IALB-EUFRAS-SEASN 2025 conference, hosted at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU in Brussels, will explore the evolving role of rural advisory services in supporting agricultural policy goals. With a focus on both current challenges and future demands, the event will feature workshops showcasing best practices in advisory work, training, and innovation. Participants will also examine how these services can be further developed to respond to diverse policy needs.
Rural advisory services and education are increasingly recognised as vital tools for helping agriculture respond to mounting pressures, including cost volatility, labour shortages, climate change, biodiversity loss, and societal scrutiny. Advisors not only support farmers in producing safe, sustainable food but also act as bridges across disciplines and borders, fostering innovation, digitalisation, and adaptation. Their role is holistic—facilitating dialogue, promoting knowledge exchange, and encouraging resilient land management systems.
The conference will also highlight the strategic role of advisory professionals in advancing key EU objectives such as the Green Deal, the CAP, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the outcomes of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agricultural Policy. In this context, the IALB, EUFRAS, and SEASN networks will present a joint position paper reinforcing the importance of independent, neutral advisory services and rural education systems in achieving ambitious sustainability and transformation goals.