Sixth Workshop of the International Network of Black Soils (INBS) | 19–24 July 2025 | Hybrid
The workshop represents a significant step towards the promotion and adoption of the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM) by identifying and advocating for comprehensive solutions that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will involve the examination and discussion of effective examples in addressing degradation of black soils, assessing the current situation and obstacles in addressing black soils degradation, and initiating a worldwide cooperative effort to encourage the use of management strategies, methods, tools, and mechanisms that diminish, and wherever feasible, promote sustainable black soils management.
The SOILS FOR OUR FUTURE 2025 Conference will be hosted by the Soil Conservation Council of Canada and the Manitoba Soil Science Society. It will bring together researchers, industry members, leaders of farmer organizations, and others to provide a global perspective on sustaining soil health. The International Network of Black Soils (INBS) will co organize a session, Adapting best management practices for black soils during the conference, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri Food Canada.
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The workshop aims to promote the implementation of the VGSSM for the conservation and restoration of carbon rich and high natural fertility mineral soils, the black soils. The workshop will bridge science and policy to review the status and challenges associated with the management of black soils and develop an action plan to promote the sustainable use of black soils. In this regard, the workshop will serve as a platform to showcase concrete examples of effective and reliable sustainable soil management (SSM) practices, techniques, instruments, and mechanisms, addressing challenges such as scientific, technological and legislative gaps. The workshop participants will discuss the problems associated with black soil degradation from a multidisciplinary perspective, and strengthen the dialogue between policymakers, scientists and field experts. Because of the importance of soil health in achieving the SDGs, the link between black soil management and the achievement of the SDGs will be highlighted and discussed.
Specifically, the workshop will provide scientific and policy evidence to support decision making and innovative actions to promote sustainable black soil management and utilization for increased food security, ecosystem services and mitigation of climate change.
The specific objectives of this workshop are to:
- review and discuss existing national and international policies, strategies, agreements and frameworks contributing to the prevention of black soils degradation and to assess their effectiveness;
- explore ways to enhance the sustainable management, assessment and monitoring of black soils and to promote regional technical and scientific cooperation;
- identify and review innovative management practices and technologies for the management and utilization of black soils;
- report on the progress of INBS and develop an annual work plan for the network; and
- advocate for a global agenda for action to promote sustainable use and management of black soils, ensuring global food security and mitigating climate change.
AGENDA
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Day 1 (19 July) (UTC −5) Room 1L07, the Lockhart building at the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Canada |
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Opening 9.00–9.20 |
Welcome and opening remarks Geoff Mercer, director, soil and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO (video message) Richard Heck or Judith Nyiraneza, President of Canadian Soil Science Society; (TBC) Samira Daroub, University of Florida, President of Soil Science Society of America, United States of America; William May, Vice chair of INBS. |
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Technical Session 1 9.20–10.00 |
Black soils in Asia – Status and challenges Roza Orozakunova, Chair of the Teaching Methods Commission, Kyrgyzstan Enkhtuya Bazarradnaa, Agroecology and Business School of Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Darkham‑Uul, Mongolia Yiyi Sulaeman, Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Indonesia |
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Group photos and coffee break (10.00–10.10) |
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Technical Session 2 10.10–11.00 |
Black soils in Eurasia – Status and challenges Ivan Vasenev, Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Russian Federation Bozena Smreczak, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Poland Giorgi Ghambashidze, Head of Laboratory of the Scientific‑Research Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), Georgia |
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Technical Session 3 11.00–12.00 |
Black soils in other countries – Status and challenges Cornelius Wilhelm Van Huyssteen, University of the Free State, South Africa Georges Martial Ndzana, Agronomy and Agricultural Science of the University of Dschang, Cameroon |
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Lunch break | 12.00–13.30 |
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Technical Session 4 13.30-14.30 |
Black soils in the Americas – Status and challenges Samira Daroub, University of Florida, President of Soil Science Society of America, United States of America Ricardo Bergamo Schenato, Soil Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; Mattos Carrera Martín Roberto, Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Uruguay (TBC) William May, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada, Canada |
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Coffee break |14.30–14.40 |
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Progress report of INBS 14.40–15.00 |
Presentation: INBS progress (2023–2024) |
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Work plan development (2025–2026) 15.00–16.30 |
Discussion: webinars on black soil management black soils case study report black soils protocol resource mobilization for black soil management decision on next avenue and workshop |
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Closing Remark |
William May, Vice chair of INBS |
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Dinner |
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Day 2-4 (20-23 July) Attending the Technical Session of the SOILS FOR OUR FUTURE 2025 Conference: Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Avenue
Black soil technical session: Adapting Best Management Practices for Black Soils: Strategies to Safeguard Soil Health Amid Shifting Precipitation and Temperature Patterns Across Growing Regions 22 July Part A 1:00 pm -2:30 pm Part B 3:00pm – 4:30 pm |
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Day 5 (24 July) Field trip: Agricultural soil and water management in Manitoba (black soils region of Canada)
Pick Up Time: 8:30am |
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