DEMO FARM project opening seminar On December 7th SIA "Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Center” (LRATC) in cooperation with the Latvian Fund for Nature (LFN) held the project’s "Development of Latvian-Estonian network for demonstration of environmentally friendly farming practices" (DEMO FARM) opening seminar. Its purpose was to acquaint the Latvian media, farmers and other stakeholders about the ongoing Demo Farm project. Workshop was attended by representatives from all participating organizations - LRATC, LFN and the Estonian Fund for Nature. Project manager Andrejs Briedis (LRATC) presented the Demo Farm Project objective - to establish a network of demonstration farms to show environmentally friendly and sustainable farming examples of Latvian and Estonia. Visitors were told of the activities will be undertaken to achieve this goal. Laura Zvingule (LFN) told about the application procedures in the project, which will be open until January 15th 2010, evaluation criteria, and noted the benefits of participation in the project: - Experts’ prepared a detailed business plan which will include:
- Farm environment and natural value description;
- Economic analysis;
- Recommendations for ensuring the sustainable management;
- Educational seminars;
- Exchange of experiences with colleagues from Estonia and Sweden;
- Informative educational billboards, leaflets.
The seminar was also told about previous experience in the demonstration of Latvian and Estonia. LRATC crop Senior Specialist Ilze Skudra presented the experience of agricultural demonstration glazing. Uldis Rudzitis from z / s "Jaun-Ieviňas" told of his experience in holding a demonstration of environmentally sound agricultural and environmental education. The landlord was sure that the greatest benefit from this type of demonstration projects, is involved improving knowledge of the farm owner and a new line of action discovery. About the demonstration farm experience in North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve Laura Zvingule from LFN presented. The Estonian experience in this field was presented by the Estonian Fund for Nature representative Kristjan Piirimäe. Nevertheless, the projects implemented have been mainly focused on the demonstration of a particular sector, so the Demo Farm Project will be included in all business lines and demonstrated environmentally friendly farm as a whole, not just in a particular field of agriculture. 
Attachments (workshop presentation): The project DEMO FARM organizations involved presentations: 14.12.2009. The project is co-financed by the Estonian Latvian Cross-border Co-operation Programme under European Territorial Co-operation Objective 2007-2013. 
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