Discussing FRAMEwork and the future of Organic farming with key stakeholders...
The Ideas Lab, Tulln, Austria took place on November 28, 2024, bringing together various stakeholders in organic farming to discuss the future of the industry. The FRAMEwork project and Farmer Clusters were key topics of discussion during this event, which was attended by participants from consortium partner AREC.
Austria has one of the highest proportions of organic agricultural land in Europe, standing at an impressive 27%. The nation has set ambitious targets to increase this figure to nearly 30% by 2027 and further expand to 35% from 2030. These goals reflected Austria's commitment to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship.
The Ideas Lab addressed the multifaceted challenges facing organic farming through collaborative problem-solving. Participants worked together to develop:
- Innovative project ideas for practical implementation
- New approaches for advisory services
- Enhanced training and knowledge transfer methods
AREC's Daniela Ablinger, Researcher and Farmer Cluster Facilitator of the Lower Austria Mostviertel Cluster, brought insights and learnings from FRAMEwork to the conversations.
The event focused on agricultural production and the entire value chain, including regional production and marketing strategies. Only a few innovative projects were invited, with spaces limited to 21. Discussions and brainstorming sessions centered around overcoming production challenges, improving processing techniques, expanding international market opportunities and enhancing knowledge transfer within the organic sector to foster a holistic approach to organic farming's development.
Host the Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land is Austria’s national networking platform dedicated to rural development and innovation. Established to support the Rural Development Program and now integral to Austria’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategy, the network brings together stakeholders from agriculture, forestry, environmental protection, rural tourism, and social organizations to address challenges and promote sustainable rural futures.
By facilitating knowledge sharing, capacity building, and digital innovation, the network focuses on strengthening rural communities through collaborative approaches. Its key activities include organizing training sessions, providing advisory services, and creating platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue.
Campaigns like #MutSchafftZukunft and targeted initiatives aim to empower local actors, drive digital transformation in agriculture, and develop resilient, sustainable regional strategies that support progress in Austria’s rural landscapes.
You can read the follow-up report from the event here.
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