Background Agricultural land management in Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands is characterised by a use of surplus nutrients. There is strong evidence that soil degradation is intensifying and spreading in the region, including through the loss of soil organic matter. The loss of this matter affects the soil's ability to retain water, its aeration and its resistance to erosion and crusting. The application of different types of animal manure is currently used to maintain, or increase, soil organic matter levels in the region. Large-scale applications of animal manure, however, increase the risk of nutrient accumulation and losses, especially nitrate leaching and phosphate saturation and leaching. The nutrient load in animal manure is the limiting factor for the amount that can be applied; and increasingly stringent restrictions on manure application hamper the restoration of soil organic matter contents. Farmers are confronted with legal restrictions (e.g. high levels of soil nitrate residues) for which they fear they may be fined. The agricultural sector needs practical know-how and tools to optimise both fertilization and organic matter management towards achieving both goals. Ghent University has carried out research on sustainable nutrient management in combination with the management of organic matter and the impact on the environment. Unfortunately this research does not link with daily farm management (i.e. the gap between research and farmers is too wide). In daily farm management, the focus is mostly on nutrient management, and farmers tend to neglect the management of soil organic matter. Objectives The overall objective of the DEMETER project, in line with the Soil Framework Directive, is to foster sustainable soil and nutrient management. This includes guiding and informing farmers on management practices that consider both nutrient and soil organic matter management simultaneously. The project is centred on the principle that sustainable nutrient and soil organic matter management not only concern fertilisation practices, but the whole farm management, including tillage practices, crop rotation etc. The project has four specific objectives: To increase awareness among all agricultural stakeholders of the benefits of sustainable soil and nutrient management, as well as of the risks of decreased soil organic matter content; To increase the knowledge of the agricultural sector concerning the principles of sustainable nutrient and soil organic matter management in daily farm practices; To provide a practical tool to farmers that will support sustainable soil and nutrient management; and To enhance the effective implementation of sustainable soil and nutrient management in daily farm practices.Expected results: Overall, the project expects to attain a higher level of soil organic matter in Flemish and Dutch agricultural soils, coupled with a decreased nutrient load in the environment. The following specific results are expected: An information package with practical recommendations for farmers concerning sustainable soil and nutrient management will be available one year after the start of the project; A decision-support tool for farmers will be online within one year of the project start date; The support tool will be used by 80 farms over the three years of the project; The application of the principles of sustainable soil and nutrient management will enable the participating farms to lower nitrate residues; In the pilot areas, monitoring results will show a decrease in the nutrient load in ground and surface water; There will be at least one agro-environmental agreement aimed at sustainable soil and nutrient management; The information package will be updated, taking into account feedback from the farmers involved in the project; Farmers and relevant stakeholders will also be informed of the existence of the decision support tool and will take part in demonstration days on sustainable nutrient and soil management; Raised awareness among policymakers of the principles and benefits of sustainable soil and nutrient management, which will help with the implementation of the Soil Framework Directive.