Just across our border lies the unique region of Hortobágy, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In April, we travelled there together with farmers and mayors from southern western and eastern Slovakia, to see firsthand what a successful integration of agriculture and nature conservation looks like in this iconic steppe landscape.
What did we learn and what inspired us?
- A world of traditional organic farming: At the Virágoskút ecofarm, we saw how almost the entire production process can be brought together under one roof, from livestock rearing and vegetable growing to processing and selling products, all in harmony with nature and with deep respect for tradition. Places like this tend to attract not only customers, but curious visitors too.
- The value of extensive grazing: At a local farmer’s property, we discussed how extensive grazing with native breeds contributes to restoring a healthy landscape while also supporting the development of the wider region.
- The heritage of traditional livestock keeping: A visit to a stud farm and demonstrations of native livestock breeds showed us just how important it is to preserve genetic and cultural heritage as a resource of incalculable value.
- Wildlife up close: A highlight was the visit to Vadaspark, where we had the chance to see representatives of the region’s original wild fauna. A particularly memorable moment was a guided wolf feeding session, a vivid reminder of the place that wilderness still holds in today’s landscape.
- Culture and the celebration of tradition: The shepherd museum brought local traditions to life in a contemporary way, something this region takes great pride in, while the newly updated visitor centre offered a fresh and engaging look at the birds and flora of the local puszta.
We left with a strong conviction that this integration of farming traditions and nature conservation is exactly the path we want to follow in restoring our own lowlands. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the inspiring company and stimulating discussions!
We also thank our friends from the organisation Zöld kör for guiding us. This event was carried out within the framework of the project LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS “Protection and Return of Steppe Bird Species to the Lowlands of Slovakia”. The project is co-financed by the European Union.