Agriculture was once the main economic activity in Pomurje. This tradition is still alive today. The future of agriculture in this area is bright. With the establishment of the Prekmurje Model Farm, the Pomurje region got a place where the tradition will continue. 

Purpose and goals of Prekmurje Model Farm

The purpose of the Prekmurje Model Farm is clear: to share knowledge about production, breeding and processing, and to connect agricultural producers and sustainable development in an ethnically mixed area. The farm will serve as a practical manual for good practices in agriculture and provide information, advice and other services for promoting the development of agricultural activity in the region. All activities of Prekmurje Model Farm will be free of charge and available to everyone.  In an effort to improve agriculture and local supply, we have outlined several goals. We want to establish a herd of horses, cattle, Mangalica pigs and Krškopolje pigs, and create a zoo with domestic animal species. This will contribute to the preservation of biotic diversity and depict the diversity of domestic animals to our visitors. What’s more, we want to encourage public institutions and other catering service providers to use local products and food. The goal is to establish logistics for local supply. With modern trends and innovative approaches, we will develop production, processing and circular economy models. We are also planning to plant model plantations of berries, asparagus, table grapes and butternut squashes.

Why invest in agricultural development?

Investing in agricultural development is supported by several good reasons:

1. improving the incomes of local farmers;
2. increasing the competitiveness of agricultural holdings;
3. climate change adaptation: This aspect will be increasingly important in the future, especially due to climate change;
4. improving the health of the general population: With locally produced food, we can directly influence the health of the population. The Pomurje region is struggling with a worsening health condition of its population, higher mortality and a higher number of chronic and cancerous diseases compared to other Slovenian regions. The promotion of a healthy diet with local products, especially in kindergartens and schools, is crucial for improving health and raising awareness of the importance of local food suppliers;
5. local economy promotion: Agriculture investments stimulate the local economy and contribute to rural development;
6. positive environmental impact: When buying locally grown food, we contribute to the reduction of emissions from transporting goods.

The Model Farm will set an example of how to improve the quality of life in Pomurje and how to contribute to a more sustainable and healthy future of the region. When visiting the Prekmurje Model Farm, visitors will experience the way of life in the country. They will experience what it is like to work on a farm, learn about food production and the importance of preserving agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

That the farm is organic? The farm was organic when we inherited it and in the future, we will continue with organic farming, which emphasizes sustainable approaches to farming, respect for nature and preservation of biodiversity. We also practice biodynamic farming. Our Grey Cattle plays a key role in this process – we insert the manure they give us in the horn of the Grey Cattle. Then, we bury it in the ground for a certain period, which produces the biodynamic preparation. The farm will demonstrate the importance of compost – how to prepare it and what can be added to it.