FARA Charity... founded to alleviate the suffering of children in state orphanages by providing an alternative care provision.

OAT FARM...Organic Agriculture

SECURING A FUTURE FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH AT RISK

Why Organic? In Romania many of the farmers are extremely poor, and cannot afford fertilizers or pesticides. Generally farms are very small consisting of 2 or 3 hectares at most producing maize year upon year with dwindling yields.

The organic farm has been established for 4 years and has been granted Organic Accreditation.

The OAT farm concept is not only to train students but to also become a show farm where local farmers can come and learn about sustainable agriculture without the need for costly fertilizers and pesticides. A reed bed system for simple waste water disposal has been constructed.

Agricultural?
Yes, and horticultural too which together with our small dairy herd and pig unit produce a wide range of organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, meat, animal fodder, and milk products.

How much land?
The OAT Farm owns 25 hectares of farmland divided into three areas to illustrate three types of rotation:

• Live-stock, grazing and haymaking
• Vegetable rotation
• Arable for winter feed

There are also a number of poly-tunnels for specialist vegetable production and orchards.

What Buildings are there?
All farm building have been built in traditional Romanian style of architecture. There is a large building to house the animals and dairy, food processing and carpentry workshops as well as a residential training centre.

Due to EC regulations pigs and cows cannot be houses in the same building and a new 10 sow unit needs to be built.

During 2008, OAT Farm will apply for an EU Grant to build much needed mechanics workshop and storage building for machinery, animal feeds and fruit.