Romania
Eco Ruralis Seed and Community Garden

The plot was given to Eco Ruralis through a free lease contract by a local peasant farmer, member of the Association. Due to land fragmentation this specific plot was not worked by the farmer in the last decade.

The Eco Ruralis collective transformed the plot and gave it multiple roles:

• seed propagation garden, where the collective cultivates and observes several hundred varieties of vegetables and cereals every year. Seeds are then freely distributed to Eco Ruralis members and supporters all over Romania.
• 3 small plots were given to community members seeking to produce their own food, but also to test out their gardening skills. The gardeners are strictly just using peasant seeds, coordinating the cultivation with the seed garden plan to avoid cross-pollination.
• The garden is also used as an educational place for university students which want to involve more into agroecological practices and participatory research on agrobiodiversity.

Scope of the initiative:: Single farm or site ; Regional ; National ; Local ; International

Types of activities: Land stewardship ; Support for farmers ; Policy/ advocacy ; Ethical finance ; Land acquisition/ ownership ; Public education ; Farming ; Awareness raising ; New entrants

Types of agriculture: CSA, AMAP, consumers co-operative ; Local supply chains ; Organic ; Peasant ; Biodynamic

Types of agricultural activities: Agriculture (plants) ; Mixed farming ; Breeding (animals)

Types of landowners: Other Land Trusts ; Ethical companies ; Other non-profit organisations ; Churches ; Public owners ; Private owners ; Commons ; Other ; Community Farm Land Trusts

Cluj Napoca

0.5 ha

Local peasant, member of Eco Ruralis

The Eco Ruralis collective (4 staff members, several interns, 3 local young gardeners)

Garden producing traditional/peasant seeds for a national free distribution. Some small plots are used by local young gardeners, which are producing for self consumption.