Last week, OrganicClimateNET partners and farmers gathered in Poland for a cross visit dedicated to organic dairy farming, climate adaptation and knowledge exchange between European producers.

The visit took place in a region where two Polish hubs of organic milk producers are located, bringing together farmers and project partners from Poland, Latvia and the Netherlands. Over several days, participants visited three organic livestock farms, exchanged experiences directly with farmers and explored different approaches to grassland-based milk production, animal welfare, soil management and climate-conscious farming.

Organic dairy farming rooted in local landscapes

The Polish farms visited during the cross visit showed how organic dairy systems can be adapted to different local conditions while sharing common principles: reliance on grasslands and local fodder, care for soil fertility, animal welfare and long-term farm resilience.

One of the farms visited was Biedrzycka-Kałęka Farm in Brzozowo, a family farm with 61 hectares of agricultural area and 84 dairy cows. The farm combines permanent grasslands, temporary grasslands, maize silage and cereals, producing more than 716,000 litres of milk per year. It converted to organic farming in 2013 and received organic certification in 2015.

During the visit, participants discussed the farm’s development, including major investments in infrastructure and technology. In recent years, the farm reconstructed its cow stable into a free-standing system and introduced a Lely milking robot in 2024, reflecting its commitment to modernising organic dairy production while maintaining animal welfare and production quality.

The visit also offered an opportunity to experience the social and cultural dimension of farming. Participants were welcomed with local food and homemade cake prepared by the farmer’s wife, including the traditional Polish cake Sękacz, adding a personal and regional touch to the exchange.

Grazing, low-input systems and farm resilience

The cross visit also included the farm of Stanisław Dąbrowski in Nowa Ruda, a smaller organic dairy farm based entirely on grassland and fodder production.

The farm covers 17 hectares, including permanent grassland and arable land dedicated to fodder. It has 23 dairy cows and has been certified organic since 2013. Since 2015, the farm has used zero food concentrate during grazing, showing how pasture-based systems can reduce dependence on external inputs while supporting organic principles.

This farm provided an example of how smaller-scale organic dairy farms can maintain productivity while relying strongly on permanent grasslands, local resources and careful livestock management.

Soil-focused practices and manure management

Another key stop was Marek Tański Farm in Świdwiborek, where participants explored climate adaptation practices linked to soil fertility and manure management.

The farm has 29 hectares of agricultural area, all dedicated to grassland and fodder production, and manages 29 dairy cows. It received organic certification in 2017 and has introduced several changes in recent years, including the abandonment of maize cultivation in 2022, zero food concentrate during grazing in 2023 and manure composting in 2024.

During the visit, participants were also introduced to the oxygen mineralisation of manure using the Plocher preparation, offering a practical example of how organic farms are experimenting with methods to improve nutrient cycling, soil health and climate performance.

Cooperation with the dairy sector

The cross visit also included an exchange with the Vice President of the Piątnica Cooperative, who presented the cooperative’s future development plans, as well as the principles and ideas that have contributed to its achievements.

This session helped connect farm-level practices with the wider organic dairy value chain, highlighting the importance of cooperation, processing structures and long-term planning for the future of organic milk production.

Peer-to-peer learning across Europe

Beyond the farm visits, the meeting created space for farmers and partners from different countries to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for organic agriculture.

Participants spent time exchanging views on the future of organic farming, the role of climate practices in dairy systems and the need to strengthen practical knowledge transfer between farms. This peer-to-peer approach is central to OrganicClimateNET, which supports the integration of organic climate farming through national networks and European-level cooperation.

Building climate-resilient organic farming systems

The Polish cross visit showed that climate-conscious organic dairy farming can take many forms: from investment in modern milking technologies, to grassland-based low-input systems, manure composting, soil-focused practices and cooperation with dairy processors.

Together, the farms visited demonstrated that organic farming is not only about production methods, but also about people, landscapes, rural culture and the capacity to adapt to changing climate and market conditions.

Through exchanges like this, OrganicClimateNET continues to strengthen connections between farmers, advisors and researchers across Europe, supporting the transition towards more resilient, sustainable and knowledge-based organic farming systems.