As part of this year's Rottenmann Children's Academy, themed "The Cycle of Matter," students visited the Biology Institute of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. The aim was to gain insights into natural cycles and the circular economy in organic farming. In the research workshop, the children had the opportunity to explore these topics with curiosity and their own observations.
The young participants learned that on organic farms, animals are fed with feed from the farm's own land, and their manure is reused as fertilizer on these same fields. In this way, the nutrient cycle remains largely closed, resources are used efficiently, and the farm can operate independently of external inputs. Dr. Elfriede Ofner-Schröck from the Institute for Organic Farming provided insights into species-appropriate animal husbandry. She explained key aspects such as sufficient space, access to pasture, and the opportunity for species-specific behavior. The children were able to observe the animals directly at the Institute's Moarhof farm. Dr. Walter Starz presented the importance of manure for agricultural cycles. Together with the children, manure samples were examined, and the diversity of organisms in cowpats was visualized under a microscope. He explained the role that ruminants and valuable natural fertilizers play in nutrient availability and soil fertility. The visit to the Bio-Institute was intended to show participants how organic farming thinks and works in cycles – from feed production to animal husbandry to the fertilization of the land.
The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is pleased with the interest shown by the young participants and is happy to contribute to helping young people recognize connections early on and learn to understand cycles in nature and agriculture.
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