Future Farm Lab: Where science meets experiential learning
A 3D, browser-based augmented reality simulation for Regenerative Agriculture Learning
Upskilling of agrifood professionals across Europe
Future Farm Lab is an innovative, browser-based 3D simulation developed by EIT Food Education in partnership with MetaChef, designed to advance regenerative agriculture learning and support the upskilling of agrifood professionals across Europe.
Accessible across digital devices, including desktop, mobile, VR, and AR, the platform delivers a highly engaging, interactive learning experience tailored to diverse audiences, including farmers, students, educators, policymakers, and consumers.
The platform is more than a single course: it is a scalable digital infrastructure that will host microcredentials, professional training, and tailored pathways, making it a cornerstone of the EIT Food Academies.
Its launch marks the creation of a new Explore-level microcredential in European Regenerative Farming Practices, introducing learners to systems thinking, soil health, and applied problem-solving.
Future Farm Lab will be publicly showcased at The Regen House in London (27 June 2025), tested with key stakeholders such as farmers and the System Shifters group (September 2025, Netherlands), and officially launched at Next Bite (October 2025).
Background and Strategic Context
Europe’s food system is under increasing pressure from soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and shifting regulatory landscapes. At the same time, there is a critical skills gap across the agrifood chain. Farmers, professionals, and educators need access to practical, science-based, and engaging tools that translate complex research into applied, real-world decision-making.
Future Farm Lab is a direct response to these needs. It leverages digital learning and immersive simulation to foster systems literacy, behavioural change, and professional upskilling. As part of EIT Food’s commitment to upskill 200,000 learners, it embodies the transformation of education from static content to dynamic, experiential, and scalable learning pathways.
The platform contributes directly to EIT Food’s three core missions:
- Healthier Lives Through Food – showing how soil, land use, and nutrition are interconnected.
- A Net-Zero Food System – modelling the environmental impact of regenerative practices and policies.
- A Fair and Resilient Food Future – delivering inclusive, practical education at scale for diverse European contexts.
“This flexible platform will accelerate the transition to healthy, resilient farming practices through innovative digital education!”
Pedagogical Design and Structure
The simulation offers a scaffolded learning journey, designed for different audiences and entry points:
- Futures Simulation Narrative
- For professionals, consumers, and system actors.
- Guided storyline where learners make strategic decisions and observe consequences over time.
- Builds systems thinking, foresight, and behavioural change.
- How It Works Track
- For students and early-career professionals.
- Explains core regenerative agriculture principles and cause–effect dynamics in accessible ways.
- Problem-Solving Tracks for Farmers and Agri Students
- Structured as micro-missions based on real EU farming contexts.
- Integrates three problem domains: livestock, cereals, and arable crops.
- Each linked to a specific European climate zone and case studies.
- Focused on valorisation, productivity, and resilience.
“Future Farm Lab is turning research into practical learning and is designed for : Farmers and growers, Agrifood Professionals, Policy makers and advisors, Universities/Vocational School/Training centers and Corporate Learning and Development Teams”
Current and planned catalogue of modules and micromissions:
Farming Through Extremes in Southern Spain – a simulation of climate adaptation strategies under drought and heat stress, testing resilience measures for soil, water, and crop management.
Soil in Crisis in France – a scenario-based mission addressing soil degradation and biodiversity loss, exploring regenerative interventions to restore fertility and productivity.
Breaking the Input Trap in Poland – a micro-mission on reducing fertiliser and pesticide dependency in arable farming, examining pathways toward sustainable intensification and economic resilience.
Policy Implications of Dairy Farm Emissions in the Netherlands – a longitudinal simulation of regulatory impacts.
Pesticide Use in Portugal – developed with the GROW project to support farmer training and safe, sustainable practices.
8 additional micromissions in conjunction with GROW project available in the catalogue by Q1 2026.
Additional micromissions scheduled to be available by Summer 2026.
Key Features
- Fully web-based (no installation) and device-agnostic (desktop, mobile, VR/AR).
- High-fidelity 3D visual assets grounded in real European farming systems.
- Modular design supporting thematic or regional expansions.
- Embedded in the EIT Food Competency Framework and aligned to EU microcredentialing standards.
- Eligible for EIT Label accreditation and integrated into EIT Food Academies.
- Includes SaaS licensing infrastructure to support institutional use, learner tracking, and financial sustainability.
Stakeholder Engagement and Timeline
- 27 June 2025 – Showcase at The Regen House, London (during London Climate Action Week).
- September 2025 – Field trials and feedback with farmers and the System Shifters high-level stakeholder group, Netherlands.
- October 2025 – Official launch at Next Bite, including plenary demo and experience booth.
- October 2025- Field trials and feedback with farmers in Portugal
- 2026 onwards – Integration into EU project bids, new regional micro-missions, and expansion through EIT Food Academies.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
- A scalable, experiential platform supporting formal, non-formal, and workplace learning across Europe.
- Promotion of mindset shifts and systems literacy for key actors in food and farming.
- A concrete contribution toward EIT Food’s 200,000 learner upskilling target.
- Strong alignment with EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork, Pact for Skills, EU Soil Mission, and the Digital Education Action Plan.
- Establishment of EIT Food Education as a global leader in edtech for sustainable agriculture, bridging research and practice while enabling long-term financial sustainability through licensing.
Scientifically robust & Scalability
Future Farm Lab is co-created by EIT Food Education, MetaChef, farmers, regional agricultural networks like GROW consortium, researchers and educators across Europe.
The Content is scalable from introductory level to advanced specialist modules.
The Platform is adaptable and modular, easy to add new micromissions and adapt to changing policy and research.
Continuous feedback loop ensures the platform remains scientifically robust and practically relevant.
Goal is to reach 200 000 learners and become Europe's leading resilient agriculture digital training platform.
Practically Relevant
"Change in climate is one factor that might effect our farming business as we know it today. Simulations might help us to see if my farm is still viable and future proof or if I should make big changes. It would be more comfortable for us to see the long term effects of these changes before actually doing them." Testimonial Farmer, Bart Grobben, Co-Founder, De Nieuwe Melkboer
“Farmers can experiment in a simulated 'safe space' what impact choices they make today can have in a few years. This will help them pro-actively overcome challenges. ”