Cobor Biodiversity Farm

Scope of project

The Transylvanian hills offer some of the most important high nature value grasslands left in Europe. Flowers depend on a specific type of land management, insects depend on many of these flowers, and birds depend on these insects and on century old woodland pastures. Due to land abandonment and the loss of traditional agriculture on the one side, and overgrazing through sheep often brought in by wandering shepherds on the other side, these grasslands have started to lose their value for biodiversity. The Cobor farm project intends to showcase, how proper management of these grasslands can conserve biodiversity, create jobs and income opportunities for local people, produce high-quality food and services, and create profits for a conservation project all at the same time.

Objective

1

To develop an organic farm on at least 500 ha, which conserves biodiversity on century old cultivated grasslands and creates profits for the core administration costs of the future CARPATHIA National Park.

Actions

A.1

FARM MANAGEMENT PLAN

With the help of ADEPT, we conducted a biodiversity study, which is the basis for the farm management plan. This plan will be finished in autumn 2015 and will form the basis of the future activities in the field.

A.2

PROVIDE SERVICES FOR LIVERY AND REHAB HORSES

The Cobor farm provides extensive grazing opportunities and a cheap alternative with full time supervision and veterinary service for horses, which are either young, retired or should otherwise spend time on the pasture. At the same time, we offer a rehab facility for horses, which need to stay for weeks or months for rehabilitation.

A.3

ECOTOURISM SERVICES

The Cobor farm offers for families or groups two beautifully restored farm buildings with currently 13 beds. Until the end of 2015, we will have another two houses with additional 7 rooms and a seminar building for workshops or seminars fully restored.

A.4

MEAT PRODUCTION

In 2016, the Cobor farm will start to produce high quality meat products. All our animals have plenty of space, natural organic food, and good veterinary services. But as much as we put an emphasis on highest standard living conditions for our livestock, we also put emphasis on the quality and the taste of our products.

Results

1

Results of this project will be to create a perfect mix of biodiversity conservation, good farm products, a great retreat, and a good place for horses to be.