Terrabiom combined a micro-expedition to the field with an educational input to teach the future leaders of our economy about the value of soils.
Terrabiom was invited to share our regenerative business case to the next generation of leaders by the Social Business Club (SBC) of the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland
Supported by the SBC board, we combined a field-trip “back-to-nature” format with an interactive, holistic learning experience which inspired critical and systemic questions around the limitations of today’s food system
The format of a field-trip mini-expedition in a business context was highly appreciated by the participants who discovered the value of soils, for themselves and the economy. It also inspired other impact-driven startups to look beyond the standard classroom format to present their business cases at HSG
Soil is everyone’s business – and it’s essential to us that the future leaders in our economy embody this message early on. We enjoyed an invitation by the Social Business Club (SBC) of the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland – one of the leading business schools in Europe – to share our approach on impact entrepreneurship and nature-based solutions. It was an inspiring evening around regenerative business with the next generation of leaders.
Staying true to our values of #nature, #science and #connection, we designed a mini-expedition merging the bubbles of #soilhealth , regenerative business and adventure around our business case of Terrabiom. The board of the SBC jumped on the idea and gathered a motivated group of students to join us out the woods for a dive into the invisible universe of soil life and its importance for the economy as well as human well-being.
I loved the fact that we got to do something outside, learning something relevant for life through doing and touching. It was very different from what we experience in our everyday at university. And it was a lot of fun, too! Daria K., student
Following a quick intro into the basics of the complex universe around soil, we hiked up to a gorgeous viewpoint through the local forest where we got our hands dirty taking some soil samples. We explored the role of soil microbes, the microbiome cycle from soil to human and back, and current challenges in agribusiness. The opportunity of nature-based solutions was highlighted throughout.
The curiosity and engagement demonstrated over the whole evening was impressive. Inspired by our approach to go beyond symptom treatment and tackle the roots of today’s challenges, we enjoyed exploring the transdisciplinary, systemic and critical questions the participants were moved by, such as:
why does soil in different places have different colors ?
how do plants take up nutrients ?
what can each of us do to care for soil, in our everyday life ?
The students were excited, both about the content and field-trip format. From "I loved the fact that we got to do something outside, learning something relevant for life through doing and touching. It was very different from what we experience in our everyday at university. And it was a lot of fun, too!" (Daria K.), to "I learned so much about soil tonight. It is the base of our life and health. We should all contribute to keep our soils healthy" (Margot M.), we are confident that the seed of caring for soil health and investing into nature-based solutions has been planted.
Additionally, we were happy to learn from SBC president, Sneha Doda, that our approach to replace the standard classroom presentation & discussion with a hands-on experimental mini-expedition was inspiring other impact-driven startups to get creative with their formats for further events at HSG.
Outreach and community engagement is an important pillar of what we do to regenerate soil health at Terrabiom. Soils are everyone’s business: everyone has a role to play. But they can only start playing it once they have an understanding of what's at stake, and what can be done about it.
I learned so much about soil tonight. It is the base of our life and health. We should all contribute to keep our soils healthy. Margot M., student
We thank the board members of the SBC for putting regenerative business on the map at HSG. In particular, these were the great group of women who never dropped the idea, when our patience to hold this event was tested over and over by Covid-19 restrictions: Dr. Rocío Robinson-Wiedemann , Gabriela Simoni , Silija Körkel , Sneha Doda , Daria Kalmykova , Margot Mazin
Educational inputs like this one are an important part of our mission to reconnect humans with the value of nature, starting from the #soil up. Curious how this might fit into your world? Please reach out to explore how Terrabiom could support you in putting soil health on your organization and people’s radar. We love to get creative.