Agricultural seminar "ECO Innovations for Small Production Areas"
On October 25th and 26th, 2024, the Croatian Hub for Regenerative Agriculture, part of the Eko Association Vojakovac (Croatian Regenerative Agriculture Center - CRAC, affiliated with the Savory Institute), organized a seminar titled "ECO Innovations for Small Production Areas" through the LIFE for Mauremys project at the House of Honey and Traditional Products in Majkovi. Project coordinator Dragica Šalamon and regenerative agriculture expert Bruna Tariba from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Agriculture brought together entrepreneurs, scientists, and farmers. In a pleasant setting with refreshments and homemade cakes, participants shared knowledge and experiences with local producers and interested residents during the two-day seminar.
The rich program included topics such as:
- the history of garden development,
- the use of wool as garden protection and fertilizer,
- natural soil cleaning methods,
- market opportunities for small producers,
- organic and biodynamic vegetable cultivation,
- alternative pest control using plant-based preparations and teas,
- basics of holistic management for monitoring environmental conditions and
- adapting agricultural production to increasingly challenging climate conditions.
Notably, all speakers are also producers and farmers, sharing not only their knowledge but also their positive and negative experiences. The discussion focused on practical problems common to all who make a living from the land.
Participants received seedlings of immortelle, figs, and pomegranates grown at the Čibača Nursery of the Institute for Mediterranean Cultures at the University of Dubrovnik, eco-friendly pumpkin seeds, wool-based cover and fertilizer samples from the company Woona, a handbook on the basics of regenerative agriculture, and promotional materials for the LIFE for Mauremys project.
Special thanks to all speakers:
Dragica Šalamon, who highlighted the importance of meadows, gardens, and small production areas not only for producing honey, strawberries, olives, grapes, citrus, and other products but also as nesting grounds for the Balkan Terrapin.
Zrinka Filipović Dermit, who presented the Ruralina and Eko Pazarić projects and ways to organize markets for farmers and better distribute agricultural products.
Tamara Pecoja from Fabrica d.o.o., who introduced the green entrepreneurial project WOONA.
Frane Mihalinić, senior advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, who updated attendees on the latest IAKS measures.
Jasminka and Željko Iličić from OPG BIOMARA, who shared their experiences as some of Croatia’s largest certified organic farmers.
Bruna Tariba and Ivan Kekez, who answered questions on topics like ecosystem regeneration and maintaining financial stability as a producer, despite the increasing challenges of an unpredictable climate.
While the seminar generated high interest, many were unable to attend due to seasonal work in olive and flower harvesting. Thus, prompted by participant inquiries for more information after the seminars, the organizers and lecturers decided to prepare an online version of the seminar to share these valuable skills and knowledge with an even broader audience of farmers.
