The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that last week (Thursday to Saturday, 16-18 March), Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor, accompanied Marcos Ribas and Carlos Marí, president and manager of the Cooperativa del Camp de Formentera, as well as other CCF staff, and Juan Antonio Prats, manager of the Agricultural Cooperative of Sant Antoni, on a tour of various Catalan farms employing extensive agriculture.

On this working trip the group visited farming projects like the Gallecs Consortium, which works to implement organic agriculture that preserves natural values, respects the environment, maintains and improves natural landscapes and at the same time is economically viable. The group also witnessed operations at the consortium's flour mill.

"The visits were highly enriching and allowed participants to see firsthand examples of growers who have successfully leveraged organic farming to use resources at hand and close the production cycle and thus attain economic performance while preserving the environment and helping shape a circular economy", said Councillor Marí.

The group also visited the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA) to see how the IRTA experiments with alternative crops, including stone pines for pine nut harvesting, and assess whether it could be replicated on Formentera. The party also visited Pep Bover farm (Espunyola), which produces flour from the planting phase to final processing.

"The idea is to learn about the experiences of other farmers who can help us improve the sector on Formentera", affirmed Carlos Marí, who pointed up a visit to Cal Rovira (Sagàs), where the group was "struck by the case of a family that has managed to close the productive cycle of fodder, livestock and sausage". Finally, Formentera's contingent of growers learned about a rapeseed oil production project of the same family.

20 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that Wednesday 15 February marks the start of registration for the children's agriculture course. This workshop is four- to twelve-year-olds and will be held on Saturday mornings. Those interested can register in person at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) and online on the OVAC. The course will begin Saturday 25 February.

"The activity aims to promote knowledge around working the land using organic and traditional techniques while promoting respect for peers and the natural environment", explained Josep Marí, rural environment councillor.

The Children's Garden, or Hort Infantil, is next to Sa Tanca Vella chapel in Sant Francesc. Children will be divided into two groups according to their age. The first, for four- to seven-year-olds, will meet Saturdays from 10.00am to 11.45am, and the second, for eight- to twelve-year-olds, Saturdays from 12.15pm to 2.00pm. Classes are free of charge.

15 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that 21 and 22 February islanders are invited to attend a free course titled "Organic Livestock: regulatory aspects and sanitary management." The five-hour session will be led by veterinarian and teacher Raquel Servitja Dalmau.

The aim of the course is to highlight the regulatory and technical guidelines of organic livestock farming to optimise production and make it cleaner and more hygienic. Servitja will cover theoretical and practical aspects of regulations around organic production involving sheep, goats and pigs, alternative options for feed and medicine, and tailoring feed and parasite control to prevent disease.

Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor, said the course was designed "to help Formentera's livestock sector use an ecological approach to improve the care and feeding of its animals."

The course for farmers and anyone on the island interested in agricultural training. Registrations are now open at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) and online on the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC). Want more information? Visit the Office of Agriculture (àrea d'Agricultura) at Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet" or call the office at 971 32 10 87.

2 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera reports that islanders with livestock must file their mandatory declaration for the livestock census by 28 February. Whether producing for profit or self-consumption, all livestock farmers on Formentera must renew their livestock cards (cartilles ramaderes).

"The goal is to plan and guarantee application of appropriate sanitary controls for production animals", said Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor. This includes pigs, sheep, goats, horses and all poultry, including chickens, turkeys and pigeons.

Livestock cards can be renewed at the Office of Rural Affairs (àrea de Medi Rural) in Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet" between 9.00am and 2.00pm, Monday through Friday. Farmers must bring their Llibre de Registre d'Explotació with details of breeding animals and animal movement.

In 2022 the Consell offered aid to farmers keeping sheep or goats "to ensure the economic viability of these farms and reduce the risk of abandonment", explained Councillor Marí. Farmers received €50 per eligible animal, including female sheep and goats kept as breeding stock, with the Consell disbursing a total of €13,950 in aid. Farmers can only receive this assistance if they have completed the livestock census declaration.

19 January 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera