On 3 February 2026, PLANETE LFP organised its annual trade show for vegetable, flower and ornamental growers in North-Eastern France. Designed as a meeting point for the entire sector, the event brought together producers, suppliers, technical support organisations and students for a day of conferences, technical meetings, one-to-one appointments and peer-to-peer exchanges.
In the middle of a lively programme, PolliConnect was presented at the PLANETE LFP stand alongside other European and national initiatives. This trade show was therefore an ideal moment to introduce the project in a practical, grower-focused setting, and to start building momentum locally.
A key highlight of the day was the technical meeting with sauerkraut cabbage producers and during the organic farming conference, where PolliConnect was explained and discussed in direct connection with field realities. Those first conversations confirmed what many growers already experience: pollinators and beneficial insects are not an abstract topic, but a concrete factor for resilience and long-term farm viability. At the fair, interest was particularly strong among strawberry growers and diversified market gardeners, who immediately connected the project’s approach to their own needs and constraints.
Beyond the presentations, the atmosphere of the fair reminded us why these gatherings matter. In a single place, you can compare innovations, challenge assumptions, and identify what is ready to test on farms this season. That is exactly the spirit PolliConnect will bring to the region through its Living Lab: building solutions with growers, monitoring what happens in real conditions, and turning observations into actionable guidance that can be shared widely.
The season ahead is shaping up to be full of visits and monitoring within the Living Lab. The positive feedback from the first exchanges at the trade show is a strong signal: the topic resonates, the questions are practical, and the willingness to engage is there. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the field, and to sharing the first results with the wider community as the work progresses. Please feel free to reach out if you wish to know more