Summary

Organic farming is expanding very rapidly in Estonia. Despite an increasing need for knowledge about efficient organic food production, there was a lack of regular and consistent training on organic farming.

The long-term knowledge transfer programme covered the whole organic farming value chain: organic plant and animal production, processing, catering and marketing.

Project Activities included trainings, study groups, field trips, demonstration events and conferences as well as providing printed and digital information materials and a quarterly magazine. All activities and materials were free of charge for the participants. 

In addition to learning and knowledge sharing, all activities offered an opportunity to meet, discuss and network. 

 

Results

An average of 25 people per day participated in 300 days of activities covering all 15 Estonian counties. Half the activities were organised on farms and in research stations. For example, study groups were very popular among farmers and there was knowledge exchange from science to practice and vice versa. 

In addition to the initial objectives to increase organic farming competitiveness and sustainability, the project with its training programme enhanced networking in the organic sector and provided valuable input for research activities and for policy making to develop the organic sector.

Farmers gained knowledge by learning from each other and by having access to up-to-date research. Scientists received direct feedback on the needs and expectations to help them plan future scientific cooperation with practitioners.