UPCOMING EVENTS
10.12.2025
14.1.2026
11.2.2026
11.3.2026
14.1.2026
11.2.2026
11.3.2026
(scroll down for more information)
Passionate about soil care in regenerative agriculture?
Explore workshop modules designed for nonformal environmental education settings!
The workshop series "Unearthing Stories" got developed alongside the Master's Dissertation in Eco-Social Design at the Free University of Bolzano and aims to inspire children to appreciate and care for soil as a living entity, offering them support to explore the human-soil relationship from both a human and more-than-human perspective. Targeted at kids aged 6 to 10, it seeks to cultivate early recognition of soil as an essential, irreplaceable foundation of humanity through an elaboration of regenerative land practices, the perspective of reciprocity and philosophies based in cultures, communities and individuals.
Whether you are a non-educator or an experienced teacher looking to expand your program, this workshop series is suitable for both. It welcomes those with prior workshop facilitation experience as well as those who are beginning to explore this field — especially fitting for anyone who wants to host workshops outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Explore workshop modules designed for nonformal environmental education settings!
The workshop series "Unearthing Stories" got developed alongside the Master's Dissertation in Eco-Social Design at the Free University of Bolzano and aims to inspire children to appreciate and care for soil as a living entity, offering them support to explore the human-soil relationship from both a human and more-than-human perspective. Targeted at kids aged 6 to 10, it seeks to cultivate early recognition of soil as an essential, irreplaceable foundation of humanity through an elaboration of regenerative land practices, the perspective of reciprocity and philosophies based in cultures, communities and individuals.
Whether you are a non-educator or an experienced teacher looking to expand your program, this workshop series is suitable for both. It welcomes those with prior workshop facilitation experience as well as those who are beginning to explore this field — especially fitting for anyone who wants to host workshops outside of the traditional classroom setting.
The workshop modules provide a variety of engaging activities such as collaborative mapping, sensory activities, play, storytelling, and imaginative explorations. During an immersive two-hour session, children have focused time to discuss, explore, and create, deepening their understanding of soil.
This project grew out of visits to agroforestry farms in Greece, Italy, and Austria, enriched by conversations with experts and in-depth research on soil and regenerative agriculture.
But it’s not complete without you. Whether you consider yourself an educator or not,
you play a vital role in this growing community.
The following sections provide an overview of each module, followed by the Facilitator Handbook, event details, community insights, and resource downloads.
Curious about the master's dissertation?
Reach out to me, happy to share it with you!
This project grew out of visits to agroforestry farms in Greece, Italy, and Austria, enriched by conversations with experts and in-depth research on soil and regenerative agriculture.
But it’s not complete without you. Whether you consider yourself an educator or not,
you play a vital role in this growing community.
The following sections provide an overview of each module, followed by the Facilitator Handbook, event details, community insights, and resource downloads.
Curious about the master's dissertation?
Reach out to me, happy to share it with you!
Partner Cooperation
A heartfelt thank you to "Die Kinderfreunde Südtirol" for their collaboration in creating and developing these modules alongside the master’s thesis "Unearthing Stories – Soil Care and Human–Soil Relationships in Environmental Education for Regenerative Agriculture." Special gratitude also goes to Maria Affengruber and Marlene Spreitz for their invaluable support in pedagogy and education, as well as to Virginia Tarditi from EARA (European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture) and Elisabeth Lehner for their expert support in the field of regenerative agriculture and soil.
For those interested in diving deeper into the research and dissertation that underpin this project, further information is available to explore via this link below.
Module 1
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SOIL UNDERNEATH OUR FEET?
This first module lays the foundation for the workshop—building on what children already know about soil, sparking curiosity, and setting the stage for deeper discovery in the ongoing workshop.
This module is build around a mapping activity. It includes the creation of a shared collection of knowledge through drawing and writing in form of a round shaped poster.
This first module lays the foundation for the workshop—building on what children already know about soil, sparking curiosity, and setting the stage for deeper discovery in the ongoing workshop.
This module is build around a mapping activity. It includes the creation of a shared collection of knowledge through drawing and writing in form of a round shaped poster.
Module 1: Mapping Activity
Module 2
OUR SOIL SUPER HEROES
Module 2 approaches the topic through a sensory and hands-on perspective. It supports the children in exploring the matter of soil care through a crafting experience with an introduction to the regenerative agriculture method of cover crops through figurative seed bombs.
In Module 2, we embark on a journey to discover the magic of cover crops and the art of soil care, through the playful crafting of seed bombs called “soil heroes”. These „soil heroes,“ made from soil clay, carry seeds of cover crops in them. The children can decide on the seed as well on which form their heroes should have. After the crafting the children can place the soil figure in the garden or in the field on a pale area of soil, to help grow new cover plants to protect the soil from heat.
Module 2 approaches the topic through a sensory and hands-on perspective. It supports the children in exploring the matter of soil care through a crafting experience with an introduction to the regenerative agriculture method of cover crops through figurative seed bombs.
In Module 2, we embark on a journey to discover the magic of cover crops and the art of soil care, through the playful crafting of seed bombs called “soil heroes”. These „soil heroes,“ made from soil clay, carry seeds of cover crops in them. The children can decide on the seed as well on which form their heroes should have. After the crafting the children can place the soil figure in the garden or in the field on a pale area of soil, to help grow new cover plants to protect the soil from heat.
Module 2: Snail with Clover and Calendula Seeds
Module 3
THE MAGICAL WORLD OF COMPOST
In this module the children will get introduced to the regenerative agriculture method of composting through a board game. The goal is to explore with them what can be returned to the soil to generate new fertile topsoil for plant growth and biodiversity. The topic of what is actual waste and what can be reused to create fertile soil is discussed through a play approach. The purpose of the game is to showcase how we can turn our “waste“ to the base of new life.
In this module the children will get introduced to the regenerative agriculture method of composting through a board game. The goal is to explore with them what can be returned to the soil to generate new fertile topsoil for plant growth and biodiversity. The topic of what is actual waste and what can be reused to create fertile soil is discussed through a play approach. The purpose of the game is to showcase how we can turn our “waste“ to the base of new life.
Module 3: Exploring the world of compost
Module 4
STORYBOOK
“WHERE STRAWBERRIES AND BEANS GROW“
This last module opens the door to a more-than-human perspective — giving soil a voice and a story to share. Inspired by field trips to farms in Austria, Greece, and Italy and the heartfelt stories and artefacts collected there, this module centers on a storybook.
The narrative tells the story of a city boy who visits his grandpa’s farm. Together with the voice of the soil, they discover together how essential fertile soil is to the world. Through the storytelling approach children get invited to perceive soil as a living organism in growing food and sustaining life, deepening their understanding of the human-soil relationship.
“WHERE STRAWBERRIES AND BEANS GROW“
This last module opens the door to a more-than-human perspective — giving soil a voice and a story to share. Inspired by field trips to farms in Austria, Greece, and Italy and the heartfelt stories and artefacts collected there, this module centers on a storybook.
The narrative tells the story of a city boy who visits his grandpa’s farm. Together with the voice of the soil, they discover together how essential fertile soil is to the world. Through the storytelling approach children get invited to perceive soil as a living organism in growing food and sustaining life, deepening their understanding of the human-soil relationship.
Module 4: Storybook "Where Strawberries And Beans Grow"
Facilitator Handbook
The Facilitator Handbook is your essential companion for confidently leading engaging environmental education workshops for children. Whether you’re an educator or new to facilitation, this guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for each workshop module, practical tips on selecting the perfect location, and advice on partnering with support facilitators. Based on real-world experience from development and testing phases, it equips you to deliver impactful, hands-on learning that inspires young minds in a non-formal setting. Perfect for schools, community groups, and organizations looking to bring meaningful environmental education to life.
EVENTS
Anna, the initiator and designer of these workshop modules, invites interested facilitators to join a free online meeting focused on the content and its practical application. The meetings provide a straightforward space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive useful tips directly from Anna. Whether you are exploring the material or preparing to facilitate, these sessions offer practical insights and direct exchange. Sign up to participate and stay connected. The events will take place on every second Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m , based on demand.
Upcoming Events:
10.12.2025
14.1.2025
11.2.2026
11.3.2026
In case you are not available on these dates or need support on a specific day,
please don’t hesitate to reach out. A suitable time slot can surely be arranged.
Upcoming Events:
10.12.2025
14.1.2025
11.2.2026
11.3.2026
In case you are not available on these dates or need support on a specific day,
please don’t hesitate to reach out. A suitable time slot can surely be arranged.
Thank you!
Community Insights
This section serves as community exchange for individuals who have tested and conducted the workshop modules. It offers a space for exchanging experiences and sharing valuable insights gained during the workshops.
If you have hosted a workshop and would like to contribute inspiring examples for others to learn from, please reach out via the contact information provided.
If you have hosted a workshop and would like to contribute inspiring examples for others to learn from, please reach out via the contact information provided.
Module 1: Algund Alto Adige
Module 2: Algund Alto Adige
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figure - Snail Shell
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figures - Wood Stick
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figure - Pines
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figures - Chestnut and Shell
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figure - Wood Figures
Module 3: Alternative Playing Figures - Stones
Resource Download
If you’d like to access the resources, just drop me a message! I’m excited to connect, brainstorm how the modules can work in your surroundings, and answer possible open questions together.