GrassLIFE partner farms attend online seminar about holistic management

On 15th January, GrassLIFE partner farms attended an online seminar to learn more about a new approach to farm management – holistic management. This approach is little known in Latvia to date and GrassLIFE farmers had the opportunity to learn more about it from the agriculture expert Lāsma Ozola.

Lāsma Ozola introduced the holistic management and decision-making approach that has been developed by ecologist and farmer Allan Savory. This model is characterised by systemic approach to resource management. Initially, this method was developed for the purpose of pasture management, but it has been expanded and applied to management of other systems, as well, with complex social, ecological and economic factors. The seminar was the first step towards development of farm management plans in GrassLIFE project. The choice of holistic management approach for this exercise was based on the benefits the system provides in enabling sustainable balance between economic, ecological and social goals defined by farmers. During the seminar, also a method of regenerative agriculture was discussed, and the potential of its application to Latvian conditions.

GrassLIFE farm advisor Andrejs Briedis remarks that: "After the seminar, we will continue individual work with those farms that are ready to take first steps towards holistic management approach on their farms. We have planned at least one more seminar, to learn about next steps, with more practical approach, and taking live examples from our farms."