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Local growers visit organic farming and production initiatives to replicate on Formentera

foto 2023iii visita productors de formenteraThe 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

Kids' agricultural workshop is back

foto 2023ii hort infantil 1The 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

cartell 2023 curs agricultra nens

Organic livestock course: regulatory aspects and sanitary handling

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

cartell 2023ii ramaderia eco

Mandatory livestock census declarations due before 28 February

foto 2023i ovellesThe 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

Formentera Cooperativa del Camp travels to Mallorca to learn about work of other cooperatives

foto 2022xii coop camp mallorca BThe Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera reports that this week Josep Marí, Marcos Ribas and Carlos Marí (local rural affairs councillor and president and manager of the Formentera Countryside Cooperative [Cooperativa del Camp, CCF], respectively), as well as other CCF members, took part in a trip organised by Cooperatives Agro-alimentàries Illes Balears (CAAIB) to get a first-hand look at the work of cooperatives on Mallorca.

Councillor Josep Marí expressed his satisfaction "because this week the CCF team immersed themselves in Majorcan agriculture and came back with ideas that can be applied to our local countryside". The councillor highlighted the group's tour of Majorcan mills, "now that the project to produce oil in a regulated manner on Formentera is closer to becoming a reality". In this regard, the contract for acquisition of €270,000 in machinery has been awarded and Tragsa is expected to start building the warehouse shortly.

For his part, the CCF president described the main objective of these visits as "sharing experiences and giving Formentera's CCF members a first-hand look at the work of Majorcan coops". He added that the trip had served "to create synergies to collaborate and share knowledge from various experiences".

Visit
Tuesday 13 December, the local contingent visited the University of the Balearic Islands for a tasting of coop produce – part of the CAAIB's Christmas-season showcase of culinary creations by students at the School of Hospitality Balearic Islands (EHIB). Afterwards, the group sat for a talk by chef Claudio Lemos ("Traditional products vs. innovative cuisine") and ended their day with a tasting of coop products.

Wednesday 14 December, the crew visited the Sant Bartomeu Cooperative olive mill in Sóller before dropping in at the coop store. Next, they went to Camp Mallorquí SCL for a look at the almond and carob food industry courtesy of coop president Miquel Gual. In the afternoon, they travelled to Binissalem to visit Grup Fruits Secs and see its oil mill and bakery.

Thursday 15 December, the CCF team visited Mercapalma to see the workings of Agromallorca SAT and get a look at a tomato farm. Finally, they visited the Son Jover cheesemakers and farm.

16 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

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