From September 29th to October 1st the Vidzeme Planning Region, as part of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme project “We Make Transition!”, organized an educational event titled “Discover the Bioregion!”. Three primary school classes from three Bioregion municipalities – Valmiera, Cēsis, and Sigulda – participated in the event together with their teachers and parents. The goal of the educational programme was to deepen pupils’ understanding of the Bioregion, established within the Gauja National Park, and to promote awareness of the importance of healthy, local and organically grown food.
The programme involved pupils from Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School (class 2c), the Young Leaders Secondary School (class 3), and Laurenči Primary School (class 5b). The children visited two organic farms in the Valmiera municipality – “Ozolzīles” and “Varšavas” – and took part in an organic food masterclass led by chefs from Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen, whose daily work is based on the use of local, seasonal, and mostly organic ingredients.
Valmieras Viestura vidusskolas skolēni Bioloģiskā saimniecība ''Ozolzīles''
At the organic family farm “Ozolzīles”, pupils were welcomed by the hostess Anete Ozola, who introduced them to the process of lyophilization also known as freeze-drying. The children tasted freeze-dried crisps made from garden-grown fruits and locally cultivated vegetables, that had kept their natural taste and nutritional value. They also sampled quince and rhubarb drinks and took a guided tour of the production facilities.
Jauno Līderu vidusskolas 3. klase bioloģiskajā saimniecībā "Varšavas".
At the farm “Varšavas”, pupils were greeted by the owners Sniedze and Jānis Dzirkaļi, who showed them fields of organically grown vegetables, legumes, and berries, as well as the farm’s ducks and chickens. The farmers emphasized that eating organic food means caring for both health and nature. They explained that to grow healthy vegetables and berries, all that is needed is water, compost, and care. The children enthusiastically pulled carrots from the ground, picked and tasted beans, fed ducks, and held chicks in their hands, gaining direct experience of rural life and organic farming. The farmers also explained organic farming labels and how to recognize organic products in shops and markets.
Valmieras Viestura vidusskolas 2.c klases skolēni meistarklasē Valmiermuižas klētī
The programme concluded in Valmiermuiža, where representatives of the brewery introduced pupils to the production of organic quince soda and kvass, made in cooperation with Vidzeme farmers and Latvian malt masters. Afterwards, in the Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen, pupils took part in a hands-on cooking workshop using products from the organic farms “Varšavas”, “Ozolzīles”, and other local organic producers. They also discovered the many ways kvass can be used. Together with the chefs, they prepared burgers, kvass ice cream, kvass sauce, whipped butter, and mayonnaise made from organic eggs.
The children’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive: “Pulling carrots out of the ground was really fun,” “The freeze-dried food was very tasty,” “I liked feeding the chickens and cooking,” “I learned how kvass and mayonnaise are made,” and “Now I know what lyophilization means.”
The educational programme “Discover the Bioregion!” gave pupils a practical opportunity to learn about the workings of organic farms and to understand the importance of choosing local and organic food. It also helped them gain a deeper understanding of the role of the Bioregion and how the use of local products contributes to a sustainable lifestyle.
