The 60th IALB, the 10th EUFRAS, and the 7th SEASN Conference will take place online on 10th and 11th June 2021, directly from the Lake Constance region. With the topic "Life and agriculture in transition – accompanying change, supporting innovation, strengthening resilience". Although happening as an online conference, the regional reference to agriculture and nutrition in the Lake Constance region will be maintained, especially in the online excursions.

The discussions will center on those advisory topics in rural extension where the pressure for change is particularly noticeable: the urgent environmental challenges such as climate change and species extinction, the megatrends of healthy living, and digitalisation. These are issues that affect agricultural business concepts as much as the life of every individual. In a crisis, developments accelerate. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear how important it is to become crisis-resistant.

"Accompanying change, supporting innovation, strengthening resilience" are three starting points for advisory services to deal in a beneficial way with these topics. Accompanying and supporting people through change has always been the self-image of advisory services. As an innovation consultant in advisory projects, supporting targeted innovations through interdisciplinary networking and thus promoting future prospects in rural areas requires a good understanding of processes and moderation skills.

How can advisors contribute to strengthening resilience, i.e. the ability to overcome crises unscathed?

The conference will start on Thursday, 10.6.2021 at 9 am CET and end around noon on Friday, 11.6.2021. The first conference day will start with keynote presentations and panel discussions, followed by a poster session and workshops. The day will also include a celebration for the 60th anniversary of the IALB. The conference will be recorded, and participants have the opportunity to watch all workshops and excursions afterward.

On Friday (11.6) there will be online excursions to farms and food processing businesses in the four regions bordering Lake Constance: Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg. The Lake Constance region is the heartland of the German-speaking rural advisor network IALB. RegistrationPlease note the date 10 - 11 June 2021 in your calendar!

Check the EUFRAS and IALB websites for when registrations open, by the end of March.