The OrganicClimateNET General Assembly brought project partners together in Brașov, Romania, for three days of exchange, reflection and shared learning around organic farming, climate resilience and carbon farming strategies.

Throughout the meeting, partners reflected on the current progress of the project, discussed how to better reach policymakers and explored the barriers that still need to be addressed to support farmers in the transition towards more climate-resilient farming practices. The sessions also created space to exchange views on how prepared farmers are for climate emergencies in different countries, and how partners can better support each other throughout the project.

The presence of Dacian Badea, one of the OrganicClimateNET ambassadors, added valuable context to these discussions, helping partners better understand the current situation of organic farming in Romania and the opportunities and challenges faced by farmers in the country.

Learning from organic farming in practice

As part of the General Assembly, partners visited EcoValley, an organic farm located around 120 kilometres from Brașov. The farm has been working in organic production for the last ten years, after deciding to move from a traditional model to an organic one. This transition brought economic benefits and also allowed the farm to differentiate itself from other producers in the area, as it is currently the only organic farm in its surroundings.

EcoValley has 140 heads of cattle and produces around 70% of the feed for its cows on the farm itself, giving the farm greater autonomy and control over animal nutrition. During the visit, partners learned more about its internal operations and recent investments, including a new building for housing the cows, opened in December, which includes solar panels to support the farm’s energy needs.

The farm has also invested more than €400,000 in two advanced milking machines, designed to facilitate and automate the milk production process. This provided a clear example of how organic farming can combine sustainability, efficiency and animal welfare through innovation.

Data, carbon strategies and farmer support

The second day focused on collaborative sessions around data and carbon strategies. Partners discussed what data is needed, how it can be collected, who is responsible for gathering it and how it can be translated into useful knowledge for both farmers and project partners.

These conversations helped strengthen the shared understanding of how carbon farming strategies can become more practical, relevant and closely aligned with farmers’ real needs. A key part of the discussion was how to ensure that the knowledge generated by the project can be communicated clearly and applied effectively in different farming contexts across Europe.

In the afternoon, partners visited the farm of Catean Silviu Nicolae, located in Rotbav, Brașov. This family farm is strongly connected to its local community, with more than 95% of its workers coming from the surrounding area. The farm works with cows, goats and horses, and stands out for its practical approach to sustainability.

Around 95% of the animals’ feed is produced directly on the farm, strengthening its independence and reducing reliance on external inputs. The farm has also invested approximately €1.4 million in renewing its machinery and making it more sustainable.

During the visit, partners also learned about the farm’s approach to product valorisation and community engagement. One example was the production of ice cream as a way to give continuity and value to a goat breed that is no longer used for wool. The farm also creates activities and experiences for children, which have become one of its most effective communication and marketing tools.

Its connection with students and younger generations also showed how farms can become spaces for education, awareness and innovation. The visit ended with a tasting of cheeses produced on the farm, offering partners the chance to experience the added value of its products first-hand.

Strengthening communication and knowledge exchange

The final day of the General Assembly focused on knowledge materials and communication. Partners discussed how to contribute to different project topics, take on complementary roles and support the development of useful materials in a balanced way.

During a workshop led by Innovarum, participants stepped into the role of journalists and used the 5Ws framework to reflect on what the project wants to communicate, who it wants to reach and how results can be shared more effectively with different audiences.

This session highlighted the importance of making project knowledge accessible, relevant and useful for farmers, advisors, policymakers and other stakeholders involved in the transition towards more sustainable and climate-resilient organic farming systems.

The General Assembly closed with a cultural visit to Bran Castle, where partners learned more about the history of Dracula and Queen Marie, an important figure in Romania’s past. It was a meaningful way to bring the meeting to an end, combining shared learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.

The days in Brașov offered valuable opportunities to reflect on the project’s progress, learn from practical examples on the ground and strengthen collaboration among partners. As OrganicClimateNET continues to move forward, these exchanges will play an important role in supporting organic farmers across Europe in their climate journey.