Introduction
The idea of relaunching an institutional form of farmer training in Covasna county was first formulated in 1990 in Ilieni when Franz Schüle, Jörg Wyder and Leo Meyer, representants of the HEKS charity organisation and of the DEZA visited the county. Local experts and the representants of the HEKS pointed out that the new circumstances of land property would impose such challenges for the farmers - in both short and long term - which can't be faced without proper professional skills and knowledge. Therefore, it was obvious that launching farmer training was the most indisp ensable need of that time. However, this initiative group has also made it cl ear that these training programmes are impossible without a proper strategy, infrastructure and a certain financial background. Hence, until these requirements were met, the HEKS offered to organise theoretical and practical trainings for some 25-30 young farmers in Switzerland.
As a consequence, 30 young farmers from Covasna County took part in a four-month-training programme - both theoretical and practical - in Switzerland in 1991.
The establishment of LAM Foundation in 1992 provided the institutional background for elaborating a long-term adult educational programme. Thus, farmer training became an integral part of the Foundation's regional development programme. In the following years, until 1995, the farmers participated in a course within the Foundation, which was followed by a practical training programme in Switzerland. Throughout the following years, the training programme improved in several stages, which also brought about the development of the necessary infrastructure.
- In 1995 the new educational farm of the Foundation was handed over, which highly contributed to the efficiency of the training programmes. At the same time, a two-year farmer training programme was launched, which concluded in a four-month practical module in Switzerland.
- In 1997 a one-year housewife training programme is offered for women working in the rural areas.
- An educational workshop is established in 2000, contributing to the mechanics module of the training programme.
- In 2003 the Foundation signs a partnership contract with the Bavarian Peasant Association. As a consequence, the housewife programme will also conclude in a work experience in agrotouristic pensions in Bavaria (Germany).
2004 is considered another milestone in the development of the training programme. The Foundation was among the first institutions in Romania to have three accredited adult educational courses: Professional plant cultivator (National Registration Code 6111.1.1), Professional agrotouristic worker (National Registration Code 6111.1.3) and Professional livestock-breeder (National Registration Code 6121.1.1). At the end of these courses the participants will receive specialist diplomas which are officially recognized.
In the past period the LAM Foundation has given more than 13000 farmers and housewives the possibility for professional trainings and has provided them with many new jobs. Obviously the past 33 years weren't easy and trouble-free. Since 1992, when the foundation's training programme lined up the agricultural, small and middle businesses, it has suffered many changes, which were initiated by the board of trustees' president and by Swiss financing. It was launched in hard times, in the period of exploring possibilities, in the period of confusion and uncertainty. In this time we succeeded not only in finding the right track, but we could also reform the Transylvanian farmers, entrepreneurs and the private individuals.After many projects (Leonardo, Grundtvig, TÁMOP, POSDRU, Szülőföld Alap, Bethlen Gábor Alap, POCU, AFIR etc.) in which we took part as organizer or as a partner, our staff gained an important professional experience, thus helping the region's development.
The online advisory system, launched on our website, the caretaking and promotion of folk traditions, the international art camp (Land Art International), the social activities (the Roma Project), the TELLUS Project developed by the CEJA in the EU, witch was launched as an experiment in 5 educational institutions from Sankt-George City (basic knowledge about agriculture, and food processing, for children with age between 10-14), the human resource development, the project for beginner entrepreneurs (POSDRU - 2007-2013, POCU 2014-2020, PEO 2021-2027) - all being initiatives witch are part of our strategy of the Central Region's economic and intellectual development.
