The arrival of the Strip Hawk at La Petrosa Farm marks a key milestone in the SOILRES project’s journey towards innovative and resilient soil management.
Developed by MOM Moretto Officine Meccaniche, the Strip Hawk is an innovative machine designed for strip tillage, a minimal soil disturbance technique that tills only narrow strips where seeds will be sown. Working at a depth of 15–30 cm and a width of 15–20 cm, the Strip Hawk leaves the inter-row areas undisturbed and covered by living vegetation. This cover helps maintain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and enhance natural fertility.
The model used within SOILRES allows fine-tuned adjustments, adaptable to different crops, soil types, and farm objectives — a true example of engineering serving agroecology.
Over the next four years, the SOILRES team will test the strip tillage system under local conditions at La Petrosa, assessing its effects on soil structure improvement, organic matter increase, water conservation, and reduction of chemical inputs.
At the same time, the project is launching on 13th of December the SOILRES National Working Group, an open space for collaboration among farmers, researchers, public institutions, and civil society.
With the arrival of the Strip Hawk and the creation of the National Working Group, SOILRES takes a decisive step forward in connecting innovation, collaboration, and soil regeneration across Europe.