| 05/08/2016 - The SmartFarmer project has been recognized by the European Commission as a Good Practice Example and a Success Story |
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| 05/03/2015 - SmartFarmer project Leaflet |
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| 29/09/2014 - The Third project meeting of the SmartFarmer project consortium in Greece |
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The 3rd project meeting of the SmartFarmer project consortium took place in Greece (Athens and Karditsa) on September 30 - October 1, 2014.
The first day of the meeting was hosted by Harokopio University in Athens. In general, the partners have shared responsibilities for the development of the training contents, discussed different ideas related to the e-learning platform, progress of dissemination activities, and agreed on the tasks for the period up to next meeting, which is foreseen for April 2015. Specifically, the Coordinator informed the partners that the Interim Report was successfully submitted, on time, to the National Agency of Cyprus. The Project Manager presented the outcomes of the Professional Standards deliverable and the list of the modules to be included in the training material. Then a representative of Efkarpon presented their initial idea about the development of the e-learning platform and the partners discussed various options concerning the design and interaction with the platform.
 
 
At the end of the first day, the partners traveled by bus from Athens towards Karditsa. At Lamia they stopped and visited a smartfarmer who is growing aronia plants. During their stay at Karditsa area, they visited smartfarmers, all members of the cooperative Efkarpon. These farmers cultivate aronia, goji berry and blueberry under the organic farming principles. At the end of their visit to Karditsa the partners visited the processing facilities of Efkarpon which, upon completion, will be used for the process of smartfoods (into dry berries, jams, etc).
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| 03/06/2014 - Two-days meeting in Latvia in June 2014 |
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SmartFarmer partnership has held a two-days meeting in Latvia in June 2014. The second day has been dedicated to visit farms which are an example on how to market superfoods. Here you can find interesting information about 2 of the visited farms.
Farm “GUNDEGAS” From his farm in Bīriņos, 55 kilometres away from Riga, Doctor Andris Ansis Špats grows berries, like large cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) among others.
Andris is convinced of the health benefits of the food he produces and he believes that organic farming more than an option is a must. His farm is an example of sustainability through reusing materials and efficient use of the resources offered by the environment.
 Andris (plaid shirt) explains how he built the drying tunnelHe feels very proud about the work he is been doing in his farm since 1.989. He himself has adapted old refrigerators trucks for use them as cold storage rooms and has manufactured its own drying tunnel. Among other activities, Andris investigates the needs of growing different varieties of berry, its nutritional properties and the climate of the area.
Some of the berries production of farm GUNDEGAS is frozen or dried for storage and sale. Berries are also transformed into juices, liqueurs and jams. Farm GUNDEGAS even exports berries outside Latvia.
 Type of land in which Andris grows his berriesA portion of company revenue comes from direct harvesting by consumers. Every year Andris devotes a number of plots to consumers themselves who come to the fields to collect berries. It is an activity with high demand among families with children who have the opportunity to have a picnic and take home what they pick.
Andris uses a blog (http://www.spats.lv/zs-gundegas/) to showcase their business; in which he publishes posts related to the cultivation and consumption of healthy food items, among other issues.
Winery "ZILVER" Like many young people, the founder of this winery left his hometown to study at the University of Riga. However, in 2009 he returned to give a new twist to the nursery and orchard which was ran by his parents since 1990, the farm “Pīlādži”.
 The young businessman serving rhubarb wine in the tasting room"Pīlādži" had been cultivating for years a variety of fruits and berries such as apples, pears and grapes. One year an exceptional apple harvest coincided with a reducing on the legal requirements for small manufacturers of wine and other alcoholic drinks, and so there was a great opportunity to start wine production.
Zilver now has a winery that produces wine... but not the wines that are produced in southern Europe. They are wines from blueberries, blackberries, rhubarb, blackcurrant, cherry, quince, flowers .... unknown types of wines in the south, but they are consumed in northern Europe.
 LaboratoryBesides selling in supermarkets and restaurants, Zilver is oriented to tourism. It has a tasting room where visitors can try various types of wine, cider and spirits accompanied by cheeses and pasteries, and of course purchase the ones they like.
Given the good reception in the market for its products Zilver is considering taking the plunge from small to medium producer to increase its production of liquors.
To facilitate marketing Zilver manages a website (http://www.zilver.lv/) in which publishes articles related to the activity of the winery, in addition to have a products catalog, information on where to purchase them and how to visit the winery.
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| 27/03/2014 - Needs Analysis: Survey questionnaires and interviews (in Cyprus) |
The Agricultural Research Institute and the Cyprus University of Technology partners, performed the needs analysis in Cyprus, during February-March 2014, by applying the developed SmartFarmer methodology. At least 27 questionnaires and 10 in-depth face-to-face interviews have been conducted during this period.
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| 12/11/2013 - Field visits in Cyprus |
 The first tour began with a visit to the farm (pharmaceutical and aromatic plants) owned by Mr. Demetris Panayiotou located in Monagrouli village. Partners discussed with Mr. Panayiotou about his ideas, the methods he applies for the promotion of his products to the market and about the characteristics of aromatic herbs.
 The second visit was at the pomegranate farm of Mr. Michalis Kleopas at Asgata village. There, the participants and the farmer talked about his farming methods, the marketing techniques for the international market and finally, they tasted the pomegranate juice produced by Mr. Kleopas agribusiness
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| 11/11/2013 - Kick-off meeting |
 The kick-off meeting of the SmartFarmer project took place in Limassol, Cyprus on November 11-12, 2013. All project partners participated in the meeting. On the first day of the meeting participants introduced themselves, their regions and organisations and discussed the project objectives, the working program, administrative and financial issues. The second day of the meeting was devoted in visits to “smart” agro-food industries in the Limassol district.
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