Slovenian farmer stories available online
During summer Slovenian team filmed the last 3 farmer stories (11 in total).
First is Domen Virant who took over the abandoned farm from his grandmother in 2015 and started a new farm business from the beginning. He admitted that “a farm without mechanization and financial stability is a big challenge”. He did not choose the easiest way, but ambitiously began to diversify a farm business – from breeding of laying hens to production of strawberries and goat’s dairy products. In just a few years he developed a market-oriented farm. We enjoyed filming video in Volčji Potok and in Kisovec mountain pasture where are their cows grazing in summer. Link to video: https://youtu.be/8wBMt3iqSVg .
Second story is about eco farmer Tomaž Habjan from Celje who change his business career into farming a few years ago. He took over a family farm and enlarged it from 3,5 ha to 32 ha UAA. His farm is focused on breeding small cattle and vegetable production. Main selling channels are public institutions (schools, kitchens) and different partnerships in agriculture. The biggest hurdles are access to finance, labour and land. Link to video: https://youtu.be/xE9-3de1dxQ .
The last farmer story from Slovenia is Tilen Soklič from Gorje. He is a young farmer and a complete newbie from the village close to famous Bled lake. He was not raised up on the farm. With persistence and step-by-step approach, he has developed a new farm business and paved a way towards a full-time professional farmer career in just a few years. He combines black- and redcurrant production, including processing into wine, and vegetable production. Link to video: https://youtu.be/ExtwD_LZj7s.
In total, more than 90 videos from 9 European countries are available in NEWBIE webpage – Storytelling: http://www.newbie-academy.eu/word-map/ . English subtitles are available.
