Celebrating soil – “World Soil of the Year 2025”

At the opening of the Soil Literacy and Awareness Raising Workshop & World Soil of the Year 2025 Picnic, Prof. Dr. Gábor Mucsi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, explained that soil science is one of the most important parts of the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, and he considers it very important to increase interest in the field. He added that this event is a huge step towards achieving this goal and assured participants that the University of Miskolc welcomes ideas aimed at promoting and deepening knowledge of this subject area.

Edit Tóthné Lippai, Deputy Chair of NÉBIH responsible for Plant Protection and Plant Production, pointed out that this workshop was not really about celebrating the Soil of the Year award, but about celebrating the soil itself. In her speech, she focused on the importance of healthy soil, emphasizing that

If we do not protect our soil, we are not protecting our future.

The President of the Hungarian Soil Science Society, Head of the Department of Geography and Geoinformatics at the University of Miskolc, Prof. Dr. Endre Dobos, pointed out in his welcoming speech that the most important task in connection with this award is to increase interest in soil science. He said that many people are unaware of the important role soil plays in all areas of life, but the workshop in Miskolc is a perfect opportunity to brainstorm with experts on how to keep this topic in the spotlight.

What is the Soil of the Year award?

The title of “World Soil of the Year 2025” was awarded through a competition submitted by the Hungarian Soil Science Society (MTT) to the Soil of the Year Working Group of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). The winning soil profile is located in the central part of the Püspökladány Arboretum, in a lower-lying area where the topography and groundwater level have led to the development of predominantly meadow soil types. The description provided by the International Union of Soil Sciences, which awarded the prize, highlights that this soil occurs in the Hortobágy National Park, which is a biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The award not only recognizes the high-quality professional work and active awareness-raising activities of the Hungarian Soil Science Society, but also draws attention to the outstanding natural value represented by our domestic soils. The meadow soil of Püspökladány, which originates from the arboretum area, is of particular importance in demonstrating the feasibility of afforestation in the Great Plain. It demonstrates the possibility of successful afforestation even under difficult conditions. Another important factor in winning the title was the widespread distribution of meadow soils, as this soil type can be found in almost all climate zones.