In this article, we present insights from Tomasz Sakowski, Poland’s national coordinator of OrganicClimateNET from the Instytut genetyki i biotechnologii zwierzat polskiej akademii nauk, and Bożena Holak, Poland’s hub coach. They share their experiences and plans regarding the establishment of organic dairy farm hubs across Poland, aimed at improving sustainability and collaboration among farmers.
Organizing Organic Dairy Hubs in Poland
Since February, Sakowski and Holak have been working to organize two hubs of organic dairy farms, strategically located in north-eastern Poland. Initially considering three locations, they ultimately decided on two hubs based on the analysis of milk suppliers and production volumes. The chosen hubs will supply milk to the Piątnica dairy, which boasts the largest number of organic milk suppliers in the region.
The project includes a notable farm in Turnia (No.3), which features its own milk processing plant and a well-optimized process for recovering thermal energy during dairy production. Based on milk suppliers to the dairy in Ostrołęka, it was possible to organize two hubs in different pedoclimatic regions. The first hub (No.1) is situated in post-glacial areas characterized by light and clay soils, while the second (No.2) is in the Masurian Lake District, known for its clay soils and peat bogs.
Throughout the project’s initial phase, several meetings have been conducted with interested farmers, providing them a platform to discuss the objectives of the hubs and the potential benefits of their participation in OrganicClimateNET.
Cows at Mieczki farm, Hub 1
Stare Kawkowo village, Hub 2
Small dairy plant Turvita at Turna
Understanding OrganicClimateNET
OrganicClimateNET is an EU-funded project designed to serve as a model for the European organic sector. Its primary aim is to enable farmers to integrate and optimise organic climate farming, thereby enhancing their ability to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. By fostering collaboration among organic farmers, the project not only seeks to promote sustainable agricultural practices but also to ensure that these practices can be effectively implemented across different European regions. Through initiatives like the establishment of organic dairy hubs, OrganicClimateNET empowers farmers to enhance their productivity while contributing to environmental sustainability.
