FarmBioNet in Romania: First International Exchange Visit
From 22 to 24 June, FarmBioNet held its first international exchange visit in Sighișoara, Romania. Hosted by the Romanian National Network lead, Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania, the event brought together farmers and project partners from all 12 FarmBioNet National Networks across Europe. Through farm demonstrations and discussions, participants explored BFF practices, exchanged knowledge and experiences, and discovered how Romanian farming systems support biodiversity. Read on to discover the highlights of the visit.
Exploring the Historic Charm of Sighișoara
The visit began with a warm welcome from our host, Ben Mehedin, who guided participants through the charming medieval town of Sighișoara, sharing fascinating insights into the region’s rich history, culture, and traditions. The walking tour provided the perfect opportunity for project partners and farmers to get to know one another, exchange experiences, and build connections ahead of the busy days of farm visits and discussions.
The day continued at the Angofa Demonstration Farm, where traditional music and local hospitality offered a memorable introduction to the Romanian countryside.
We were also pleased to meet the Mayor of Sighișoara, Iulian Sîrbu, who joined the evening gathering to welcome FarmBioNet Project Coordinator Saorla Kavanagh and all participants, highlighting the city’s support for initiatives that promote biodiversity-friendly farming and sustainable land management.
Discovering BFF Practices Across Two Farms
The second day of the FarmBioNet exchange visit took us into the stunning Romanian countryside.
Participants were split into two groups, with each group starting at a different farm to allow for more focused discussions and hands-on learning. The visits combined field demonstrations, practical examples, and peer-to-peer exchange between farmers and project partners.
One group began at Albești SEBAL Farm, hosted by Sebastian Aldea, while the other started at Angofa Demonstration Farm. After the morning sessions, both groups came together for a shared lunch at Angofa Demonstration Farm, providing an opportunity to exchange initial impressions and insights.
In the afternoon, the groups switched locations to ensure all participants had the chance to visit both farms.
At Albești SEBAL Farm, we explored a mixed farming system covering 130 hectares and supporting a herd of 170 cattle. The farm produces around 90% of its own fodder, including silage, hay, haylage, and cereals such as oats, wheat, and maize. Participants were particularly interested in daily management practices, cattle feeding strategies, water management, and land leasing arrangements. Discussions also focused on farm economics and the practical implementation of biodiversity-friendly farming (BFF) practices, including rotational grazing, crop rotation, and habitat management.
At Angofa Demonstration Farm, a 180-hectare holding with 164 hectares of grassland, we walked through species-rich pastures and hay meadows, home to rare butterfly species protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Participants exchanged experiences on managing invasive species, restoring grasslands using regional seed mixtures, and maintaining valuable habitats. A visit to Angofa School also highlighted the farm’s educational and outreach activities.
The rotation between farms allowed participants to gain a broader perspective on different management approaches and sparked valuable discussions on how farm practices influence grassland quality, livestock systems, biodiversity, and overall farm resilience.
The Final Day: Exploring Species-Rich Grasslands
The final day of our exchange visit in Romania took the group to AGRO-ECO-VISCRI-WEISSKIRCH, where Dietmar Gross presented the work of the Common Grazing Association and explained how it operates in practice.
Founded in 2015, the association promotes low-intensity agroforestry and traditional land-use systems that help protect valuable ecosystems while sustaining local milk and meat production. The model builds on close cooperation with local farmers and land users, ensuring that biodiversity conservation and agricultural production are managed in balance. Walking through species-rich pastures and grasslands, participants learned how carefully managed grazing practices help prevent scrub encroachment, preserve centuries-old wood-pastures, and maintain the region’s High Nature Value grasslands, which are among the most valuable semi-natural habitats in Europe.
The programme also included a visit to the Viscri Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic cultural landmarks of Brașov County in the Transylvania region. The site offered further insight into the strong link between cultural heritage, traditional land management, and biodiversity conservation in the area.
The exchange visit concluded with new connections, valuable knowledge, and fresh ideas to bring back and apply in participants’ home countries, along with many unforgettable memories from three days of learning and exchange.