Farmers circles

Subtitle / abstract The way to exchange experience and knowledge of local teritories
Domain of activity
  • Analysis of practice
  • Animation of group
  • Education
  • Training
Objective of the tool/method The objective of the method is to enable and facilitate the exchange of practices and kowledges between practitioners themselves. The tool is ideal for transmision of different experiences of local people including farmers.
Description of the tool Farmers circle is a name for non-formal way of knowledge exchange between farmers with common interest. Based on experiences of Carinthian chamber of agriculture in Austria it was modified and introduced by Public farmers’ advisory service of Slovenia. Circles may consist of 5-20 members with the same production orientation or common interest. It is moderated by agricultural advisor. Members of the circle are forming the group based on trust, joint planning work and the mutual exchange of experience. In the frame of Public farmers advisory service at CAFS around 100 different farmers circles are active.
More information The work and issues discussed by the circle are agreed among members and written in the program of work. Number of meetings of members depends on the objectives of the circle and it should be at least 4 time a year. Operation of the circle is complemented with a variety of professional education, fieldwork and a visits to good practices. The role of the advisor (in other case the teacher/trainer) is only to facilitate and keep group dynamics in the direction of optimal results. He (she) is also organizational help for the circle and keeps some kind of records about the work and conclusions. He also invites other professionals to discuss with the members of the circle or present their experience
Succes factor In the frame of Public farmers advisory service at CAFS around 100 different farmers circles are active. We have many experienced advisors. The circle is ideal also for identification and transmission of agroecological konwledge. Members can experiment with AE pratcices in real circumstances an discuss them. It enables feed back and is ideal for discussion with researchers or planners.
Challenges The term "agoecological knowledges" is little known in the population of farmers and some additional effort will be necessary to introduce it. Existing circles are focused on technological and production questions for dairy, horiculture, vegetables or meat production. Agroecological knowledge can easiest be presented and developed as an issue in the circuits of Organic farmers before it becomes an issue for independent agroecological circles.
Contact Anton Jagodic, Barbara Trunkelj
Contact email anton.jagodic@kgzs.si
Address Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia Gospodinjska ulica 6 1000 - LJUBLJANA SLOVENIJA
Town Ljubljana
Website http://www.kgzs.si/
Author of the index card dr. Janko Rode
Author structure Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia
Author email janko.rode@kgzs.si