#Education, science and research#Food and agricultural transformation#Ecological farming#Nature conservation, biodiversity, forest protection#Animal protection
About the organization
The Interessengemeinschaft gesunder Boden e. V. (Healthy Soil Interest Group) is a non-profit association based in Regensburg, Germany, dedicated to creating healthy, humus-rich soils. Its goal is to improve soil quality in agriculture through practical training and knowledge exchange, thereby laying the foundation for healthy plants, animals, and people.
This is particularly important in the context of current challenges such as climate change, erosion of soil fertility, and loss of biodiversity. The association focuses on building healthy soils, thereby contributing to securing food production and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
With its commitment, IG gesunder Boden pursues a holistic approach that combines ecological, economic, and social aspects.
Man must have earth beneath his feet, otherwise his heart will wither away.
Why we fund
IG Gesunder Boden combines scientific expertise with practical implementation, organizes workshops and educational programs, connects farmers, authorities, and interested parties, and promotes soil quality, biodiversity, and climate protection. Its commitment has an impact in many areas: drinking water is protected, soils gain humus, erosion is slowed, and as a result, the resilience of ecosystems to droughts and heavy rainfall increases. The Stiftung Zukunft jetzt! supports the interest group in many ways, because what is learned and implemented here has an impact far beyond individual fields – for a better environment, healthier food, and a future that will still leave our children with soil under their feet.
"Erdfeste" are intended to raise awareness of the Earth as the basis of our existence by celebrating and focusing on the Earth as soil and as a planet.
Although "Erdfeste" are celebrated in many different places, they are intended to promote community and cohesion. For this reason, all "Erdfeste" are presented on this page. This shared visibility creates a connection that has a much stronger impact on social awareness than a single festival on its own can have.
Celebrations are an underutilized resource for reconnecting with the ground and the earth and realizing the values that grow from this connection: grounding, mindfulness, responsibility—and the experience that we are part of a larger living context. The Stiftung Zukunft jetzt! supports further improvements to its website: to make it more user-friendly and thus invite even more people to celebrate an "Erdfest" and spread the word.
Soil Day for children and young people
Soil Day opens up a special space for children and young people who want to discover their own enthusiasm for environmental awareness and understanding of healthy soil. Under the motto “Children learn from children,” a varied day awaited them with many hands-on stations where knowledge was brought to life. Whether collecting herbs and churning their own butter, harvesting potatoes, growing plants, or exploring the diversity of soils based on their colors—everywhere, the focus was on getting active and experiencing the value of soil firsthand. At the end of the day, the children took home not only small treasures such as plant pots and color palettes, but above all a sense of what “good” soil means.
Parents, siblings, and teachers are also catered for: hands-on activities, exciting information, and specially organized training courses extend the day into a real community experience for parents, siblings, and teachers as well.
The Stiftung Zukunft jetzt! supports this project and is delighted to contribute to making Soil Day an event that combines knowledge, joy, and responsibility for the basis of our existence.
Picture: IG gesunder Boden
It was important for us to know that our festival was connected to many other Earth festivals. This meant we were part of a shared field, a larger expression of gratitude.
