The Scaling Organic project has officially kicked off!
On 6–7 July, partners from Estonia, Latvia and Finland came together in Võru in Estonia to launch the international cooperation project Scaling Organic (Growth Programme for Organic Horticulture), running until the end of 2028 under the Interreg Central Baltic programme.
The project aims to support horticultural businesses in their growth by helping them move towards organic or regenerative agriculture, increase production and the added value of their products, reach new customers and build stronger cooperation networks.
Over the two days, representatives of the Development Centre of Võru County, Estonian Organic Farming Platform, Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, and the Finnish Organic Farmers Association met to:
- gain an overview of the expectations of the Interreg Central Baltic programme secretariat towards project partners and the achievement of project objectives;
- share experiences of engaging horticultural businesses in growth programmes and exchange practical advice;
- plan activities for the next six months – engage producers and experts, develop growth roadmaps for participating businesses and prepare the first events for project participants.
The first day ended with a visit to Alt-Lauri organic farm in Rõuge Parish, where the partners learned about the farm’s history and day-to-day activities and enjoyed strawberries and honeyberries picked straight from the field.
On the second day, the group visited Sõleke Kindergarten in Võru. The kindergarten’s catering manager gave an overview of how the kindergarten has reached a 20% share of organic ingredients in the meals served to children, as well as the steps being taken to increase this share to 50%. The group also visited the kindergarten’s garden, where children grow their own vegetables and learn how food makes its way to our tables.
Photo: Sten Mahov
