Category: Model-farm-EN

A few women…

… per village who can produce enough and want to market it together were selected. They receive intensive support to help them get started in marketing.

Until now, they have only sold individually in the village or perhaps once at a local market. Doing this together is a completely new form for the women and we hope that they will be able to generate more income together in the future.

Many thanks to the Schöck Familienstiftung, which makes the operation of the model farms and the support possible, and to Fair Styria, which supports the project for marketing.

… the women in each of the 4 villages are informed about what is necessary for joint marketing

.. Approximately 20 women per village register for the programme

… if they do not grow the plants themselves, they receive them from the model farm

.. the large greenhouses on the model farm are constantly producing plants

.. thanks to the good farm manager in Chyangsar, there is enough for everyone

.. the vegetables on the model farm are also grown for seed generation

3. July 2024
News …

… from the model farm in Kunikhop. The fence is finished and protects the vegetable fields from the hungry bears, which in this area mainly prey on the maize fields but also pass by the vegetables.

The women continue to receive training in the field and in theory on how best to prepare the different types of vegetables and grow them in the field.

Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting this project.

.. plants grown together on the model farm can then be taken home

.. even in their own greenhouses a lot is already successful

.. covering the plants after sowing is simple and effective

.. the fence was built as a community project without financial support

.. theory in between, not easy to keep for everyone

26. June 2024
Sustainably supported …

… the high-yielding kiwis on the model farm in Chyangsar. The original structure was too weak. With hard wood and ‘feet’ treated according to old methods, the new scaffolding should be able to hold the abundant harvest well.

Many thanks to the team for finding a good solution and to the co-operative for their work. We are proud of the independent solutions that are gradually emerging.

.. the kiwis are growing luxuriantly on the new construction

.. the load was too heavy for the original scaffolding

… the wood has been treated to make it more durable

.. without concrete and metal, everything is well supported

6. June 2024
Unexpectedly …

… a piece of land was added to the model farm in Merangding. Most of the grafted fruit trees come from Ghunsa, and the resulting wood can be used for fencing and other work on the model farm.

We are delighted with the village about the first mixed orchard and hope that it will flourish

Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for their generous financial support.

… our professionals planned the garden with the women

… the trees are distributed across the plot

… the women plant the new fruit trees together with the expert

… the trees are still small and will need a lot of care

… the material collected will be used for the fence

22. May 2024
Grafting …

… fruit trees are now also being grafted at the Ghunsa tree nursery. Almonds, apples and walnut trees are grafted onto local rootstocks. This is completely new for the women, it doesn’t always work, but the first successes can be celebrated.

The trees for the new orchard in Mergangding have already been provided by Ghunsa.

Many thanks to the Schoeck Family Foundation and the private sponsors who made this possible.

.. must be cut carefully

.. the experts pass on their knowledge to the women

.. the trees are grown in a separate greenhouse

.. after a while you can see the results

.. the women and experts scrutinise the results

8. May 2024
Preparations …

… for a good harvest are in full swing in Chyangsar. Some new PGS farmers are getting the plastic for the greenhouse, the compost is being spread, the last winter vegetables are being harvested and, above all, a new kiwi construction should provide good support for the abundant harvest in the coming years.

Many thanks to our farm manager and the team for their great work and to Schoeck Family Foundation, whose support makes these activities possible.

.. the kiwis are given a stable framework made of local material

.. the last winter vegetables are harvested

.. the compost is ready and being processed

.. the new plants are already germinating under the straw

.. the plastic for new farmers is cut and they build the structure themselves

3. April 2024
On site …

… the developments on the model farm could be admired and the next steps discussed. The women reported on what they had learnt and where they faced challenges.

However, they are increasingly able to take care of these themselves and find good solutions.

Many thanks to the Schoeck Family Foundation for the financial support in the villages.

… all the women and the Austrian visitors stand proudly in front of the finished model farm

.. the fields are continuously planted with mixed crops

.. reports and discussions are held together in the training hall

.. vegetables are grown in used sacks next to the fields

.. harvesting for the evening meal

.. the joy of the great results is visible for everyone

20. December 2023
Documenting to learn ..

… is one of the principles of the Farmers Field School. During the training, the women record everything on the model farm in detail to see what leads to good results, what needs to be paid attention to, what does not work.

The women, who can write well, write down quantities, times and which seeds were used.

This intensive support is made possible by the support of the Schoeck Family Foundation

.. the results of the field are entered in prepared formats.

… the field is looked at very closely and results are written down

.. the “history” of the plants is also documented in the greenhouse

.. while mum is labelling, the daughter is trying to find an alternative use ? .

.. as a reward for the good work, each woman is allowed to take a little harvest with her

11. October 2023
Healthy vegetables …

… are now also available in Merangding. Through the ongoing training (unfortunately still without furniture in the training hall), the women learn step by step what is necessary for this.

The children are often there too and grow into the diversity of organic vegetable cultivation at an early age.

Many thanks especially to Schoeck-Family-Foundation for making the operation of the model farm possible and to Fair Styria for setting it up in the last few years.

.. Tomatoes now also in Merangding

.. methods can be learned on the model farm (e.g. nets as protection and for seed production)

.. whoever wants to become a farmer learns at an early age ?

.. the women are very interested in all the details

.. the healthy vegetables speak for themselves

2. October 2023
Almost finished …

… is now also the training hall in Merangding. Unfortunately, the funding already promised by the government for the interior fittings and installations has not come. But with our combined efforts, a solution will be found.

Things are going well in the greenhouse and in the fields and the compost toilet is also ready.

Many thanks to the Schoeck Family Foundation, whose support ensures the operation of the model farm.

… the design of the front was particularly beautiful in Merganding.

… the composting toilet requires no additional installation

.. Boxes have been integrated into the wall, the furniture is still being worked on.

… in the greenhouse several young plants are already waiting to be used in the field.

… as part of the “fieldschool” everything is labelled and biological insect protection is practised.

… the beautiful courgette show the success

30. August 2023