Soil is one of the Earth’s most vital yet least understood ecosystems. Current monitoring methods are slow, costly and invasive.

The Earth Rover Program works to change this by developing seismic soil science (‘soilsmology’) which supports soil regeneration efforts through non-invasive, low-cost mapping of global soils.

Together with the Board and team, we took stock of ERP’s progress and developed a framework for their thinking to enable them to prioritise future activities for the organisation’s next phase of growth.

This would help ERP to attract new partners and funding relationships, amplifying its important work as it scales up. 

Joining the team’s offsite in Exeter, we ran an all-staff workshop to explore:

• What is ERP’s vision for the world by 2050 – for soil stewardship and regeneration, for a broader ambition (people and planet)? 

• How are things changing outside – scientifically, environmentally and technologically? Given these shifts, what sets ERP apart from its peers? 

• What needs to happen to make this outcome become reality? What role should ERP play to affect the change? (and what should ERP not pursue)

• How does ERP know it is on track towards the vision?  For example, what signals progress in 2035? 

Following the workshop and testing interviews, we compiled the feedback to develop a change story for ERP. This clearly linked the role of ERP’s evidence-based, scientific interventions with key audiences like farmers and policymakers, helping to chart the path towards outcomes for a fairer, greener and healthier world.

The Earth Rover Program officially launched in December 2025 on World Soil Day. We are thrilled to have been a part of its journey, and excited to see what’s next in years to come.