During August 2007, thirty US midwest farmers learned about the rapid changes taking place in Central European agriculture. This educational tour, organized and operated by Anglatin in cooperation with its Central European partner, Agritours Slovakia, was our third one for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and our third to Central Europe.
The group Arrived in Budapest in mid-August and visited a grain farm, horse breeder and a land reclamation project before moving on to Slovakia. In Slovakia the US farmers learned about the long transition from communist style collective farming to capitalist style commercial farming. Following visits to a large dairy cooperative, fruit farm and hog producer, our thirst was slaked with Slovakia’s tasty wine. The UNESCO heritage for humanity city Banská Štiavnica was included in the Slovakia program as well as an excursion into the High Tatra mountains.
A white water rafting trip and a traditional Polish lunch with folk music and dancing were all part of the first day´s program in Poland. Between Krakow and Warsaw, the group met hog farmers, cattle breeders, crop farmers and rural leaders. The twelve day tour was capped of with a classic Polish feast and folk dancing.
The participants were very impressed by the warm hospitality of hosts and high quality of the sites visited; overall a great success. The Ohio Farm Bureau folks have always been great participants; and working with their leader, Mike Pullins, continues to be a pleasure. We look forward to our next tour with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation!
