The project meeting for the Erasmus+ project EU4Shepherds took place from July 5th to 7th, 2022 at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein and at the Grabnerhof Agricultural College.
Key focus areas included the training program for shepherds and the guidelines for trainers. Instructional videos are also being produced. The program emphasizes knowledge of natural processes, feeding and breeding, products and their production (cheese, wool, meat, and leather), economics, administrative procedures and funding opportunities, as well as marketing.
The event concluded with an interesting excursion to the Grabneralm, at the entrance to the Gesäuse National Park. There, participants were able to observe the professional management of the sheep flocks up close. An interesting best practice example for the international conference participants is the training program specializing in alpine farming, which will begin next school year.
The program was organized by Silke Schaumberger and Reinhard Huber.
The project
Extensive livestock farming models are crucial for the sustainable preservation of important rural areas in Europe. They represent the paradigm of ecological, social, and economic sustainability. These models prevent the depopulation of rural areas and have positive impacts on animal welfare and human health. Extensive livestock farming provides the population in many EU regions with high-quality food and promotes the sustainable development of our society. Extensive livestock farming currently faces significant challenges due to the effects of climate change, such as droughts, animal health problems caused by the increase in parasites, and administrative restrictions on transhumance. It also depends on the availability of herders. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find well-trained individuals with the knowledge and experience to implement all aspects of extensive livestock farming. Herders are an aging group, and the younger generation often lacks access to relevant training, education, and experience. Often, the low social standing and lack of specific vocational training programs deprive them of the motivation to become herders.
Goals
The main objectives of EU4SHEPHERDS are:
- Improvement and updating of the training program for extensive sheep farmers, taking into account current barriers (administrative, legal, or logistical obstacles), threats (new climate scenario and its consequences), and opportunities (ecological production trends, agritourism, etc.). The program will be adapted to ensure the sustainable continuation of extensive livestock farming.
- Adapting training methods (for both trainers and trainees) to on-the-job learning. This will ensure the sustainability of the profession and extensive sheep farming in rural areas.
- Easier and broader access to education and promotion of the use of digital tools for education.
- Creating the foundations for the recognition of the values that shepherds bring to our society in social, ecological and animal welfare terms, as well as their importance in the fight against rural exodus, forest fires and climate change.
Result
The EU4Shepherds project aims to develop a common framework for a European certificate for shepherds.
partner
cesefor, Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture, aldeias de montanha, Agricultural University-Plovdiv, Archnetwork, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, University of Agricultural and Environmental Education, Agrom-Ro, Fundación Monte Mediterráneo
PARTNERS IN AUSTRIA
University of Agricultural and Environmental Education
Angermayergasse 1, 1130 Vienna, Telephone: +43 1 877 22 66-621636,
HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein
Raumberg 38, 8952 Irdning-Donnersbachtal, telephone +43 3682 22451 242
Further information
