Excursion to Transylvania for academic purposes
In the heart of Romania, nestled among the picturesque mountains of the Piatra Craiului National Park, Pasture for Life tours provide immersive experiences into traditional mountain village life. These tours, actively offered, focus on areas such as Pestera and Magura villages, offering visits to local farmers practicing sheep farming and cheese making, guided hikes in meadows and hills, and tastings of local cheeses and homemade Romanian cuisine [1].
The conservation NGO, ADEPT, plays a significant role in preserving both the region’s farming traditions and biodiversity. ADEPT works in Transylvania to support sustainable farming practices that maintain the cultural heritage of rural communities while protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the Carpathian landscape. By promoting traditional, low-intensity pasture-based livestock farming, ADEPT helps conserve habitats rich in wildflowers, insects, and wildlife, linking local livelihoods with landscape conservation [2].
The demonstration farm run by ADEPT, Angofa, spans 200 hectares and has seen a dramatic change in its outlook after introducing cattle. Traditional hay meadows and rotational grazing of the pasture have returned, a testament to the rejuvenating power of pasture-fed cattle [3]. The herd on this farm consists of 60 Aberdeen Angus cows, a breed chosen for its eligibility for annual support payments from Romania’s Rural Development Programme, hardiness, commercial potential, and good sale prices for meat and breeding [11].
ADEPT's efforts extend beyond the farm, as they aim to work with local communities to build their own herds. They have helped dairy farmers by building or restoring milk collection points, improving milk prices, and providing direct help to communities [4]. As the taste for beef in Romania increases, Aberdeen Angus farming is growing rapidly, with many herds owned by large-scale outside investors [10].
The visit to Transylvania was a study trip rich in nature, farming, culture, and culinary delights, including tasty pork dishes [9]. Calves are weaned at the end of the year, with males sold as stores for fattening or as potential breeding bulls, and females sold at ten months [5]. Agriculture in Transylvania is dominated by family farms with non-intensive management [6].
To further their conservation efforts, ADEPT is renovating two buildings. One will become a Wildlife Centre for visiting botanists and ecologists, while the other will serve as a house for the farm manager to live on-site, complete with conference facilities and overnight accommodation for visiting groups [7].
As the local economy depends almost entirely on farming, with sheep and cattle dairy farming being commercially developed on any scale, these initiatives are crucial in sustaining the region's heritage landscapes and practices [1]. Beef and lamb rarely feature on Romanian menus due to historical reasons [8]. However, with the growing interest in sustainable farming practices and the taste for beef increasing, these tours offer a unique opportunity to witness and support the transformation of traditional farming methods in Transylvania.
[1] https://pastureforlifetours.org/tours/transylvania-romania/ [2] https://www.adept-ro.org/ [3] https://www.farmernetwork.co.uk/news/adept-helps-farm-transform-its-outlook-with-cattle/ [4] https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/193226-adept-helps-dairy-farmers-in-transylvania [5] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/calves-weaned-at-adepts-transylvanian-demonstration-farm/ [6] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/adept-helps-dairy-farmers-in-transylvania/ [7] https://www.adept-ro.org/adept-renovates-two-buildings-to-create-a-wildlife-centre-for-visiting-botanists-and-ecologists-and-a-house-for-the-farm-manager-to-live-on-site-with-conference-facilities-and-overnight-accommodation-for-visiting-groups/ [8] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/beef-and-lamb-rarely-feature-on-romanian-menus-due-to-historical-reasons/ [9] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/transylvanian-visit-offers-study-trip-rich-in-nature-farming-culture-and-tasty-pork-dishes/ [10] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/as-the-taste-for-beef-in-romania-increases-aberdeen-angus-farming-is-growing-rapidly/ [11] https://www.farmersweekly.com/news/2019/06/aberdeen-angus-chosen-for-adepts-transylvanian-demonstration-farm/
The rotational grazing practiced in the Piatra Craiului National Park, promoted by ADEPT's initiatives, helps preserve local biodiversity and influences the landscape conservation, linking the lifestyle of rural communities with food-and-drink experiences, such as cheese tastings and homemade Romanian cuisine. As ADEPT continues to work with local dairy farmers, offering support and access to better market prices, the growing interest in sustainable farming practices and the increased demand for beef may lead to a shift in the region's traditional diet and travel itineraries, enriching the region's cultural heritage and economic resilience.
