Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, Latvian Fund for Nature and Estonian Fund for Nature has launched a project DEMO FARM - "Development of Latvian-Estonian network for demonstration of enviromentally friendly farming practices".

The aim of the transboundary demonstration network is to disseminate sustainable farming practices in both countries.

„Agricultural production depends on soil fertility and health of surrounding ecosystems," says Teet Eomäe from Estonian Fund for Nature. „Still, very few farms apply environmental friendly approach in their everyday work. The main reason for this is lack of guidance and good examples. Inevitably, farming always harms environment, including soil, water, plants, animals. However, farming can also enhance biodiversity, including coastal and wooded meadows. We wish to synthesise environmental concerns and long-term economic interests. The project will be organized as open process where everybody has the possibility to participate," says Teet Eomäe.

During two years - till September 2011 - demonstration network of Latvian and Estonian farmers will exchange their experience in environmental management. The farmers will be trained in both environmental and economic aspects of sustainable management as well as language and other practical issues. Various experts will survey the participating farms to consult farm management plans and recomend sustainable decision-making. Farmers will be provided with informational materials and trained for guiding excursions for farmers and other people.

We invite farmers to apply for participation in the demonstration farm network till 15 January 2010.

Additional information is available in media and on our home site www.elfond.ee, www.llkc.lv and www.ldf.lv. The project area covers in Estonia the following counties: Võrumaa, Valgamaa, Põlvamaa, Tartumaa, Jõgevamaa, Viljandimaa, Pärnumaa, Läänemaa, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa. In Latvia: Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Rīga and its district.

DEMO FARM project is implemented within Estonia - Latvia Programme under European Territorial Cooperation and it supports cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia.

For more information, please contact:

Teet Eomäe

Estonian Fund for Nature, project manager

Phone: +372 56341080

e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kristjan Piirimäe

Estonian Fund for Nature, eutrophication expert

Phone: 5116916

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Note to editors:

Latvian Fund for Nature, Estonian Fund for Nature and Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre are implementing a project DEMO FARM - "Development of Latvian-Estonian network for demonstration of environmentally friendly farming practices".

The main aim of the project is to develop a network of farms for demonstration of sustainable farming practices in Latvia and Estonia. During December 2009, farms will be invited to apply for participation in the network in Latvia and Estonia. After detailed selection process, 10 farms in Latvia and 10 farms in Estonia will be invited to participate in the project and shape the core of the network.

For each farm a detailed farm management plan will be prepared by experts. The plans will contain descriptions of environmental and nature values in the farms, economic analysis and farm-specific recommendations for sustainable farming. Based on these plans, farmers will be enabled to change their farming practices towards more sustainable farming. In order to strengthen the demonstration capacities in the farms, trainings for farmers will be organised, including trainings on environment, nature protection, economical aspects, and demonstration and language lessons. Farms will be provided with informational materials.

All this will ensure that the farmers will be able to improve their environmental performance and sustainability of farm, and share their experience with other farmers and general public in Latvia and Estonia. The demonstration farm network also after the end of the project will promote environmentally friendly farm management in Latvia and Estonia.
Apart from working with the selected demonstration farms best experience in field of nature friendly and economically sustainable farm management will be gathered in Latvia and Estonia, and published as recommendations for sustainable farming.

DEMO FARM project will run for two years - until September 30th 2011. We invite you to follow project information in media and on our home sites www.ldf.lv, www.elfond.ee and www.llkc.lv

DEMO FARM project is implemented within Estonia - Latvia Programme under European Territorial Cooperation and it supports cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia.

Estonian Fund for nature (ELF) was established in 1991 by biologists and conservationists and in close co-operation with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). ELF is non-governmental and independent nature protection organisation.

Latvian Fund for Nature (LDF) is non-govermental organisation established in 1990. LDF's mission is to preserve biodiversity in Latvia. To achieve that LDF works in practical nature cnservation and education about significance of biodiversity.

Ltd. Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LRATC) is established in 1991. 99% of the shares of the company are owned by the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture and 1% by the Latvian Farmers Federation. LRATC provides services throughout the whole territory of Latvia (with The National Centre is located in Ozolnieki and professional advisory offices in all districts of Latvia). The LRATC provides advisory and training services for agriculture and rural development.