As a gesture of gratitude for their warm hospitality, participants brought small gifts from across Europe to thank the farmers for opening their doors and sharing their experiences.
The visit began with a warm Slovenian welcome featuring local music and food, showcasing not only the country’s rich traditions but also its renowned hospitality.
With a 300-year legacy, Pr’Črnet Farm is managed by Štefan Čebašek and his family, who seamlessly blend traditional practices with modern innovations to tackle the challenges of contemporary farming.
Spanning 25 hectares of fields, orchards, and permanent grassland, the farm produces cereals, raises livestock, and operates an on-site bakery that mills flour and bakes bread. The Čebašek family processes grains such as wheat, spelt, oats, and barley into flour, semolina, and porridge using their own stone mill. Any unsold grains are used as livestock feed, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and exemplifies sustainability.
Committed to organic principles, Pr’Črnet employs natural fertilisers, crop rotation, and green manure to enhance soil health. Recent investments, such as a biomass-powered bale dryer and plans for photovoltaic energy production, underscore the family’s dedication to reducing environmental impact.
Like many agricultural operations, Pr’Črnet faces significant climate-related risks, including drought, frost, and heat stress. These challenges have led to crop losses exceeding 50% in some years, with severe droughts necessitating the purchase of additional fodder.
To adapt, the farm has implemented a range of climate-smart techniques, including intercropping and cultivating climate-resilient plant varieties. Participants also observed machinery demonstrations showcasing methods to minimize soil compaction and innovative organic matter management practices, such as the use of “Micro Natural” fertilisers.
While the farm has made strides in adaptation, attendees encouraged exploring soil microbiology further to improve long-term resilience and expanding the use of data-driven strategies for sustainability.
Pr’Črnet Farm uses the Farm Carbon Calculator to assess its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, identifying livestock as the largest contributor at 64% of total emissions, which amount to 206.67 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. However, the farm offsets 26.38 tonnes of CO2 through its mixed woodlands and has set an ambitious goal of reducing emissions by 30% by 2029.
Proposed strategies to achieve these goals include optimizing winter crop rotations, reducing heavy machinery passes to prevent soil compaction, and expanding the farm’s cultivated area to 50 hectares to enhance productivity and resilience.
The farm visit facilitated meaningful exchanges between the farmer, Climate Farm Advisors, and participants. Key recommendations included:
- Collecting and analyzing more data on soil health, productivity, and economic returns.
- Creating educational videos and podcasts to share insights beyond in-person visits.
- Benchmarking Pr’Črnet’s practices against similar operations to identify areas for further improvement.
Visitors praised the farm’s focus on local food chains and its successful integration of home bakery products into its operations. Looking ahead, Pr’Črnet Farm plans to expand its bakery capacity, explore gluten-free product lines, and potentially develop agritourism initiatives to diversify income streams and strengthen its role as a community hub for education and sustainable farming.
Pr’Črnet Farm exemplifies how deep-rooted heritage can harmonize with forward-thinking innovation. By prioritizing organic practices, climate resilience, and community engagement, the farm sets an inspiring standard for sustainable agriculture in Slovenia and beyond. The Čebašek family’s commitment and vision continue to offer valuable lessons for farmers and stakeholders alike.
A big thank you to Pr’Črnet Farm for hosting us and for being an integral part of the Climate Farm Demo network of farms. We’re grateful for your commitment to sustainability and your valuable contributions to the project.
