ON-FARM: Farming, Food Production and Food Processing with Added Value for Local Small and Medium-sized Farmers

<< Background >>Before the start of the project, our proposal was based on the urgent need to address climate change through innovative and sustainable solutions in agriculture. The perspective of using digital learning tools and transnational collaboration to stimulate short food supply chains (SFSC) matched our objective perfectly. The project's potential to promote sustainable agricultural practices, empower rural entrepreneurs and bring a balance between economic and environmental factors appealed to us. We were aware of the lack of digital learning tools for small and medium farmers and saw an opportunity to bridge this gap and move agriculture into the 21st century. As we wrap up the project, we find it satisfying that we have helped build trust across borders, inspired growth and promoted environmentally friendly agriculture, making progress in the fight against climate change.<< Objectives >>Our aim in implementing the project was to promote a resource efficient society, improve the local landscape, promote biodiversity and accelerate the transition to sustainable food chain systems to make the food market more environmentally friendly. We focused on improving the quality and quantity of adult education, specifically on developing farmers' environmental skills to enable them to start processing activities on farms, integrate farm-to-fork strategy and strengthen digital and entrepreneurial competences. Another objective was to support local and regional farmers in adopting sustainable production, creating short food supply chains (SFSCs) and reducing dependence on long-distance transport. By sharing knowledge and strategies across borders, we aimed to create a self-sustaining system for local and regional farms that would support long-term change and lasting impact. The results of the project far exceeded our initial expectations. Collective efforts and international cooperation have been essential in promoting sustainable farming practices, improving farmers' skills and fostering a more sustainable food market. We are delighted with the visible progress and positive impact the project has achieved.<< Implementation >>During the (extended) 25-month project duration, we successfully implemented various activities structured into 7 Work Packages (WPs) and 5 Project Results (PRs). The decision to extend the project duration to 25 months was crucial, allowing us additional time for multiplier events and pilot testing, originally planned for the harvest season, so these activities faced challenges in involving the target group. The implementation WPs focused on developing a white paper(s), gathering case studies, creating a podcast series, producing inspirational learning materials, and developing a web-based training platform. Simultaneously, transversal WPs handled project management and administration, financial oversight, dissemination, monitoring and evaluation through questionnaires and pilot testing. Broad dissemination activities, including 5 multiplier events across partner countries, were organized to raise awareness and engage stakeholders in the farm-to-fork strategy. Despite challenges in organizing the German multiplier event, outlined in the section about the Multiplier Event in Germany, the overall participant target for the multiplier events was successfully fulfilled, even exceeding expectations.<< Results >>Throughout the project, we successfully delivered tangible outputs, including training materials and a web-based training platform. These materials provided small and medium farmers and relevant stakeholders with practical knowledge of on-farm production and farm-to-fork (market) solutions. The materials included a wide range of information from legal procedures to case studies and innovative solutions from partner countries, thus supporting the enhancement of the environmental skills and competences of the target groups.The aim of the project was to raise public awareness of short food supply chains and farm-to-fork strategies and to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture in the fight against climate change. Adherence to a logical structure and accessibility of educational materials promoted understanding and acceptance. The project also made efforts to encourage newcomers to engage in direct processing, create farm products and use digital marketing strategies.We have also committed to supporting local communities by supporting regional development through the ON-FARM project and trying to reduce the negative impact of long food chains on the environment. The focus on sustainable practices also aimed to improve the overall quality of food available to consumers. Going forward, we expect the target groups to continue to introduce innovative farm-to-fork solutions to support more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture across the EU.