Network to Innovate: Demonstration Farms

Farms that are used to teach agricultural techniques and technologies – known as demonstration farms – are a smart investment that can help accelerate the adoption of game-changing innovations. Farmers can learn new ways of doing things without having to do them on their own farms first.

Demonstration farms are used to teach various agricultural techniques and technologies, and showcase new or improved crops. They also serve as a venue to research and test new methods alongside traditional ones. The first part of the event will feature inspiring presentations on Demonstration farms. Following the presentations, there will be a dive into a discussion round, during which participants can ask questions to the speakers.

To facilitate communication, we are using the Padlet dashboard, allowing you to share inspiring solutions, express interest in cooperation, or raise questions related to the workshop's theme. Simply provide the name of your idea or area of expertise, offer a brief description, and include your contact details.

1. VET school farm as a R&D platform – Hanna-Mari Laitala, Kpedu, Finland

Kpedu provides vocational education and training, and its campus in Kannus also serves as a research and development (R&D) platform for projects. They have been part of the ProOpetustilat project, which has created a digital database of Finnish educational institutions with R&D platforms related to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

2. Knowledge transfer – the place of demonstration farms – Rodian Pawłowski.

Rodian is an agricultural advisor, teaches in an agricultural college and coordinates the regional network of 19 demonstration farms in Warmia i Mazury.