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Farmers' Forum - A comprehensive day for soil renewal

Farmers' Forum -
A comprehensive day for soil renewal

Farmers' forum on Min-till, Strip-till and No-till
Gádoros - Land of Sándor Hargitai
Thursday, 24 August 2023

Video report

They said about our previous training

"I talked to a lot of interesting people. Some of them were complete beginners, pathfinders, and I hope they enjoyed this experience of a world full of life as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the Event."
Stephen
Pusztaszabolcs
"I really liked the fact that Flórián, when he had no experience, was honest and said that was the next step. His translation was also perfect. All credit to him."
Otto
Ludas
"I've been trying cover crops for a few years now, with more success in a small plot rather than less. But I've had a lot of answers here about what I've got wrong. Encouragement is important and I feel like I've gotten a serious positive "push" for the whole technology again."
Attila
Péterréve

Farmers' Forum

A comprehensive day for soil renewal

The aim of the training day is to provide a comprehensive overview of the principles and tools of No-till, Min-till and Strip-till. In addition, participants will be introduced to cover crop seeding methods for Min-till and Strip-till in wheat fields.

The host of the day will be Sándor Hargitai and his assistant Ede Kis.

During the event be among the first to get your hands on the book "No-till for beginners", the first no-till book in Hungarian, courtesy of the Soil Renewal Farmers Association. They have undertaken the translation, the proofreading and the funding of the whole project. What's more, you can buy it on the spot for just £11,999, which is much cheaper than ordering online.

There is no marketing activity on the TMG Association's farmers' forums, but professionalism is the guiding principle!

External speakers at the Farmers' Forum event are not for marketing purposes! Their intention is not to promote their company or products, but to contribute their expertise to the success of the event.

Programme

Thursday, 24 August 2023

Gádoros - Land of Sándor Hargitai
On the section of the 4407 road from Gádoros to Orosháza, between kilometres 2 and 3, on the sign next to the asphalt road.
GPS coordinates: 46.644766, 20.590100

8:45 - 9:15

Registration

9:30 - 9:45

Welcome, introduction by Ede Kis - TMG member

9:45 - 10:10

Introduction of the host, presentation of his farm

10:10 - 10:35

Éva Aranyoss - cover crop and soil improvement consultant - Lecture on cover crops

10:35 - 10:50

Demonstration of Verti-till turbo cultivator / shallow tillage with vertical discs / and WIR 600 speed spreader working with cover crop spraying

10:50 - 11:00

Presentation by Zoltán Szabó - TMG member: Changes in the host soil due to the no-tillage mode and applied nutrient recycling since 2018

11:00 - 11:20

Sprout with weed comb combined with broadcast sowing

11:20 - 11:45

Ede Kis - TMG member - Strip-tillage presentation with practical demonstration

11:45 - 12:00

István Szabó - TMG member - Presentation of Esstence

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00 - 13:30

Ede Kis - TMG member - Demonstration of direct seeding with RAD seeders

13:30 - 14:00

Stocker Reto - TMG member - Strip-till, No-till presentation, demonstration of converted John Deere seed drill

14:00 - 14:15

Crop protection technology issues for catch crops and cereals, and reduced active ingredient and rate experiments, presentation by a crop protection consultant

14:15 - 14:45

Introducing the Fiona Direct Launcher

We are happy to answer any questions you may have at the end of each block.
In the event of heavy rain, impassable signs, the event will be held on the same date on Thursday of the following week, 31.08.2023.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host

Sándor Hargitai farms in Gádoros, on the border of Békés and Csongrád counties, on 89 hectares of good quality, 35-40 Acre land. He is a member of the Education Committee of the Soil Renewal Farmers' Association.

After graduating from the Agricultural Secondary School, he graduated from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Gödöllő in 1982 as an agricultural economist. He then worked as an agronomist at Pankotai State Farm for a few years before leaving the agricultural profession. He returned to the profession in 2012, helping his parents with their family farm. 

He has been farming on his own since 2016 and has been without a rotation since 2018, due to the drought and changing economic circumstances at the time. 

"There were no decades-old, fixed production methods that I had to change, or I saw that the way we had been cultivating the soil until then was not good, conditions change, and we have to change our farming and thinking."

It currently produces staple crops: winter wheat, maize, sunflower, winter barley, but may need to add new crops to the rotation, such as soya, possibly cover crops.

"Within regenerative farming, I see minimum tillage as feasible due to our conditions and climate, and I am training myself in this direction, and the development and mechanisation of our farm is also heading in this direction."

Registration for the event

Participation fee: 35.000 HUF
Application deadline: midnight 22 August 2023

Participation is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the participation fee.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it primarily for those who already have experience in soil conservation technologies or who are just starting out.

In all cases, we organise the training day outdoors. If we get a little rain, we'll get through it in wellies and raincoats. In case of heavier rain or already wet ground, we will postpone the event to 31.08.2023.

We've thought about that too. Three tents will be set up to provide protection from the strong sun.

There is only one reason for this: you did not enter your e-mail address correctly when registering. We've automated the registration process, so if you're in any doubt about anything, send an email to rendezveny@tmg.hu.

We are preparing pizza. We will also provide drinking water in a balloon, so please bring a bottle, glass or canteen. We want to reduce the amount of plastic that goes in the trash. Thank you!

If you can't find the answer you're looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Farmers' Forum - Strip-till technology on near 70-bed soils

Farmers' Forum -
Strip-till technology on nearly 70-bedded clay soils

If you want to see what others only talk about!
Gyomaendrőd | On the board of Kis Ede
Thursday 22 June, 2023

Pictorial report

Video report

They said about our previous training

"I talked to a lot of interesting people. Some of them were complete beginners, pathfinders, and I hope they enjoyed this experience of a world full of life as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the Event."
Stephen
Pusztaszabolcs
"I really liked the fact that Flórián, when he had no experience, was honest and said that was the next step. His translation was also perfect. All credit to him."
Otto
Ludas
"I've been trying cover crops for a few years now, with more success in a small plot rather than less. But I've had a lot of answers here about what I've got wrong. Encouragement is important and I feel like I've gotten a serious positive "push" for the whole technology again."
Attila
Péterréve

Farmers' Forum

Strip-till technology on nearly 70-bedded clay soils

How to grow safely on extremely compacted soils without damaging the soil? This is the question of Ede Kis's Education Day, and he will share his experiences on the subject, assisted by Krisztián Csizmás.

Ede on the way to the no-till strip-tillagewhich, on average, provides a solution for soils with an average of 68 percent tilth to ensure a relatively even yield with as little disturbance as possible.

We will cover the theoretical background of regenerative farming in the first part of the training day, and then move on to the practical after a short flame-washing session. Mechanical and other technical issues will be covered, as well as the actual practice of farming - not only strip-tillage, but also min-till and no-till.

Host and hostess: Ede Kis
Moderator: Krisztián Csizmás

Programme

Thursday 22 June, 2023

Gyomaendrőd - On the board of Kis Ede
Between km 11 and 12 of the road 4231 connecting Gyomaendrőd and Dévaványa you have to turn off onto a dirt road, along which you will find the sign.
GPS coordinates: 46.976665, 20.836526

9:15 - 09:45

Registration

10:00 - 12:00

Theoretical background

Welcome, introduction of TMG Association: Krisztián Csizmás - TMG member.
Introduction of the host, farming conditions (soil types, crops) - Ede Kis
Problems - and solutions to them:
- The difficulties of soil cultivation - structure destruction, cost and time aspects.
- Soil hydrology - increasing frequency and management of extreme weather events.
- Nutrients - poor nutrient uptake, high input costs.
- Positive vintage effect as a stimulus to start thinking in a regenerative direction.
The theoretical part of TMG:
- Framework - putting the 5 principles into practice and their impact.
- Getting started on the soil-building journey - how to start, what steps to take.
- Cover crop options - sowing dates, plant varieties, freezing, non-freezing, choice depending on weather and microclimate, their impact on water balance...
- Better use of nutrient capital, N fixation.
- The dirty money: worth it, not worth it (cost comparison of different technologies).

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 14:30

Part about practice

Visual inspection of soil, shovel test, penetrometer
What to know about spring sowing (catches)
- No-till - pros and cons, whether to till in spring, with what and how.
- Strip-till - pros and cons, timing of strip-tillage, spring tillage options.
- In both technologies, demonstration of the machines, stem residue handling, fertilizer application, and closing of the pits.
Autumn sowing (cereals, vetch, peas): no-till and min-till technology options, stem residue management, introduction to RAD seed drills.
Viewing of a sunflower table (blonde vetch + rye in a cover crop):
- Visual inspection of soil condition, comparison of strip and row, comparison of sunflower development in strip and no-till, effect of early and late spring termination on sunflower development.
We move to a nearby field where we compare two strip-till sunflower fields: one with no cover crop wheat, the other with a grassy vetch + rye cover crop
In a far field, a no-till winter barley field sown in wheat stubble can be seen.
The educational day will include a demonstration of an Avers-Agro band cultivator, an Avers-Agro spoke harrow, a RAD grain drill and a John Deere 1750 seed drill.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host

Ede Kis in Gyomaendrőd in Peace County 259 hectares under arable crops. It currently produces winter cereals, sunflower, beech and oil radish. 

In 2007, he started to switch to tillage based on loosening and shallow tillage.Since 2016, he has been experimenting with direct seeding and cover crops, and will be using strip-till technology on a commercial scale from autumn 2022.

He has been a member of the TMG Association since its foundation.

Its terrain is former rice fields: 60-70 kA deep permafrost soils.

Krisztián Csizmás comes from a farming family, his parents were involved in animal husbandry, he went into crop production.

Farms 140 hectares around Abony, the without filming in the last five years.

There are direct seeding experiments and min-till areas, as well as areas where the seedbed is reclosed with a straight knife loosener and heavy roller, for example in maize. He had direct seeded wheat after sunflowers. He hopes to get to no-till next year.

Registration for the event

Participation fee: 20.000 HUF
Application deadline: 22 June 2023.

Participation is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the participation fee.
In case of rain, we will hold the education day in the same place, so everyone should bring wellies and raincoats.
We prepare with flame gas, drinking water.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it primarily to those who are interested in strip cropping, who have experience in soil conservation technologies or who are just starting out. It is useful for those who farm on very compacted soils.

In all cases, we organise the training day outdoors. If we get a little rain, we'll get through it in wellies and raincoats.

We will be exposed, in the fields, where there is no shade. We ask you to bring a hat, an umbrella if you can't stand the hot sun.

There is only one reason for this: you did not enter your e-mail address correctly when registering. We've automated the registration process, so if you're in any doubt about anything, call the number provided during the day or email rendezveny@tmg.hu.

We will prepare a flame, we will specify who wants what when you register. Also, we will provide drinking water in demijohns, so please bring a flask or cup or canteen. We would like to reduce the amount of pet bottles going into the trash. Thank you!

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Farmers Forum - Cover crop experiments, nutrient management, water retention in sand vines

Farmers' Forum -
Cover crop experiments, nutrient management, water retention in sand vines

How to do it, how not to do it...
Tázlár-Felsőtelep | Peter Schneider Vineyard
Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Video report

Farmers' Forum

Cover crop experiments, nutrient management, water retention in sand vines

The educational day will take place at the vineyard of Peter Schneider, from 9.15 to 9.45 in the morning, and then From 10 am we will present the Soil Renewal Farmers Association, the hosts, or we talk about the theoretical basis of regenerative farming, cover cropping solutions in sand vineyards, nutrient management and water retention.

Hosted by Péter Schneider and Péter Sárosdi, and their assistant Zoltán Szabó.

The practical demonstration will start at 10.40 a.m., the first part of which will focus on rolling of ground cover rye happens. For this reason, we talk about cover crops that can also be used on sand, about worth harvesting or terminating and the use of the field experiments you can also see the results.

Hosted by Péter Schneider and Péter Sárosdi
Moderator: Zoltán Szabó

Programme

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Schneider Péter's vineyard - Tázlár-Felsőtelep suburb
On the road between Kiskunmajsa and Soltvadkert, turn off at the 6 km marker and follow the signs.
GPS coordinates: 46.572749, 19.477020

9:15 - 09:45

Registration

10:00 - 10:10

Introduction of the TMG Association - Zoltán Szabó, TMG member

10:10- 10:20

Introducing the hosts

Péter Schneider

Péter Sárosdi

10:20 - 10:40

Principles of regenerative management

Zoltán Szabó

10:40- 12:30

Practical demonstration

Rye mulching technology between rows of vines - currently we see the mechanical termination (rolling) process, but during the demonstration it is mentioned that: 

- How to sow the cover crop, whether to harvest or terminate, what and what mixtures to experiment with on sand?
- Time windows for sowing and terminating cover crops.
- The benefits of mulching in vineyards and its potential risks and how to avoid them.
- Experiences with weeds as ground cover plants.
- Essence application in grapes.

Extra for grape fanatics:
You can see table grapes grown in a tent with Essence treatment, mulched with straw mulch.

We're making sandwiches and grape juice.
In case of rain, the demonstration will be held in the same place, so everyone should bring wellies and raincoats.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host

Péter Schneider: everyone in his family has worked with vines, going back to his great-grandparents. Peter continues the family farm: in 99% he produces wine grapes, the rest is table grapes. In recent years he has been experimenting with newer varieties from Russia and Ukraine.

Total 101 hectares of vines of which 60 hectares in one member are located in Tázlar. Ten years ago, droughts, wind erosion, nutrient and water problems set him on the path to finding a solution, which he found in the writings of Attila Kökény on the agroinform forum. It was with his help that she started her research.egenerative farming in 2015 with courage and enthusiasm.

It took 3-4 years for the vines to get through the cover crop without drought, the first year it was spring sown black oats, other years black oats with spiked leys, but they work with a rye and vetch combo most of the time, which is what they have now. Swinging terminal. He discussed new ideas to help farming without soil disturbance with his friend and fellow farmer, Péter Sárosdi. The transition has caused some exciting moments, with many experimental successes and failures bringing lessons learned that will be shared with the participants at the farmers' forum. The hectares that have been treated with a combination of Essence and humic acid applied only to the soil and foliage for a quarter of a year will also be on display. 

The soil a variety of yellow, unstructured 26-inch gold-plated bindings, also known as plaster sand from the sand ranging from a brownish sand with a minimum clay content to a more brownish sand. 

Peter's long-term goals include increasing the humus content and purchasing a direct seeder. 

Péter Sárosdi, comes from a farming family, he started regenerative farming eight years ago, inspired by the ideas of Attila Kökény.He sowed his first cover crop consciously in 2015, he was very enthusiastic, he fried himself a few times, but this did not discourage his experimentation: every year he tries to introduce new plants into the system. So far, vetch has proved the most successful. In total, he farms 35 hectares, of which 20 are vines, 11 elderberries and a small amount of arable land and woodland. 

Soils: mostly weak yellow sandy soils with half a percent humus, but there is also a few slightly more compacted areas with around 1% humus content, which is considered a good soil in that area. 

Registration for the event

Entrance fee: 20.000 HUF, which supports the TMG Association.

Participation is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the participation fee.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it mainly for those who already have experience in soil conservation technologies, or who farm on sand and/or work with vines. It may also be useful for those who have an orchard and want to start regenerative farming there.

When applying, preference will be given to farmers.

In all cases, we organise the education day in the vineyard. If we get a little rain, we can wear rubber boots and raincoats to do the rolling and see the area. If there is a downpour or a downpour, the machine work will be cancelled and the programme will take place in the foil tent. But hopefully that will not happen.

There is only one reason for this: you did not enter your e-mail address correctly when registering. We've automated the registration process, so if you're in any doubt about anything, call the number provided during the day or email rendezveny@tmg.hu.

We will be preparing sandwiches and grape juice, no cooked lunch this time.

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Farmers' Forum - Strip-tillage on soils with close to 70 binding

Farmers' Forum -
Strip-tillage on soils with close to 70 binding

Video training session - with online consultation

They said about our previous training

"I talked to a lot of interesting people. Some of them were complete beginners, pathfinders, and I hope they enjoyed this experience of a world full of life as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the Event."
Stephen
Pusztaszabolcs
"I really liked the fact that Flórián, when he had no experience, was honest and said that was the next step. His translation was also perfect. All credit to him."
Otto
Ludas
"I've been trying cover crops for a few years now, with more success in a small plot rather than less. But I've had a lot of answers here about what I've got wrong. Encouragement is important and I feel like I've gotten a serious positive "push" for the whole technology again."
Attila
Péterréve

Farmers' Forum

Strip-tillage on soils with close to 70 binding

How to grow in a soil-friendly but safe way on extremely bound soils? This is Ede Kis education day, he will share his experiences on this issue. He himself is on the road to no-till strip-tillagewhich, on average, provides a solution for perc soils with a hardness of 68, that ensures a relatively even yield with the least possible disturbance. 

Strip-till technology on minute soil

Like plasticine, it can be. Or like concrete. Or like the butter you spread on bread. When they start to dry out, the dumplings fall apart into tiny cubes. If it's wet, it's impossible to cultivate, if it's dry, that's why. The time for optimum cultivation is very short, and we use this window of opportunity to Education Day, which is now we organise in an unusual way. We will record the operations on video, add explanations, and later edit them for those who are interested - and after watching the short film, we will provide a one-stop online consultation where Ede can answer any questions you may have. And at the end of May, we will present the results of the work we have just done, so that you can see the results.

From the estate of Little Ede:

The strip-till areas are on average 68 Gold-bound former rice fields. After harvest, he sprouted the stubble, then weeded some, and did nothing on others, only strip-tilled them in September. In spring, there was only one total weeding on 24 March, no other operations. Sunflowers will be put in these areas. Before sowing, he is going to test how the Avers Agro spoke tine will work in the strip-tilled area. 

 

Meet our host

Ede Kis is engaged in arable farming on 259 hectares in Gyomaendrőd, Békés County. He currently grows winter cereals, sunflowers, beech and oil radish. Approximately 80% of its area is deep subsoil with 60-70 kA of soil.

In 2007, he started to switch to tillage based on loosening and shallow tillage.Since 2016, he has been experimenting with direct seeding and cover crops, and will be using strip-till technology on a commercial scale from autumn 2022.

He has been a member of the TMG Association since its foundation.

Register for the training

The price of the package (video training + consultation) is HUF 20.000.

Personal participation is not possible at this time.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it primarily for those who already have experience in soil conservation technologies or who farm on bound soil. It may be useful for those who have set a target of no-till, but do not yet dare to take the first step.

Those who register will receive a video taken at Little Ede's on the day of the sowing. In this video, we talk about the theoretical basics of regenerative farming, Ede's soil cultivation method, the whys and hows, strip-till and the development of her soil. Everyone can watch the video individually at home, and then we'll set up a one-on-one online consultation where everyone can ask Little Ede questions. 

It will start in the late afternoon and participants will receive a meet link. Once everyone enters the online space, they will be able to hear questions from others and Ede's answers, and there will be an opportunity for dialogue. 

There is only one reason for this: you did not enter your e-mail address correctly when registering. We have now automated the registration process. If you get stuck or are in doubt about anything, please call the number provided during the day or send an email to rendezveny@tmg.hu.

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Photos taken during the shooting of the educational material

Farmers Forum - All in a day!

Farmers' Forum -
ALL IN A DAY

Solutions that work, without bullshit! Professional day organised by TMG Association at FERENC BEREND's no-till farm
Pusztakovácsi | Berend Kft. Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Video report

They said about our previous training

"I talked to a lot of interesting people. Some of them were complete beginners, pathfinders, and I hope they enjoyed this experience of a world full of life as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the Event."
Stephen
Pusztaszabolcs
"I really liked the fact that Flórián, when he had no experience, was honest and said that was the next step. His translation was also perfect. All credit to him."
Otto
Ludas
"I've been trying cover crops for a few years now, with more success in a small plot rather than less. But I've had a lot of answers here about what I've got wrong. Encouragement is important and I feel like I've gotten a serious positive "push" for the whole technology again."
Attila
Péterréve

Farmers Forum - All in a day!

Solutions that work, without bias

We will definitely SEND YOU if you

  • you always wanted to see and hear how Ferenc Berend farms. You only see this kind of complex regenerative farming overseas;
  • you've always wanted to ask Ferenc Berend or one of the many experts who will be taking part in the event. Ask any question and you're sure to find an answer here!
  • you yourself are close to starting, or have already started, on the path to regenerative farming;
  • you want to make the most of the new AÖP (even in areas with slopes steeper than 12%!);
  • how plant protection works in regenerative farming (reduced use of substances, concentrated juice volume, after-effect);
  • learn how machines can help you effectively (Orthman shallow disc planters, Horsch seed drills, Precision Planting solutions);
  • already have you thought about integrating animals into your own systembut you haven't dared to do it yet;
  • would you like to exchange views with like-minded farmers and experts over a delicious Hungarian lunch!

We can only accept a LIMITED number of participants for the workshop, up to a maximum of 30 people.

Therefore, please DO NOT FATHER if you

  • you don't want to work efficiently at lower cost;
  • you "don't believe" in no-till and you are not convinced;
  • you do not intend to embark on a regenerative path in the short term.

Programme

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Pusztakovácsi - Berend Ltd. site

9:30 - 10:00

Registration

10:00 - 10:45

Attila Kökény talks to Ferenc Berend and the participants

10:45 - 11:00

stationary machine demonstration - no-till solutions for seeding, nutrient replenishment and crop protection

11:00 - 12:00

demonstration of no-till winter wheat after maize and field crop protection technology

- Presentation on reduced active ingredient and rate trials with crop protection advisors

12:00 - 13:30

Lunch

13:30 - 14:00

Travel 25 km

14:00 - 14:15

crop protection technology issues for catch crops, and a presentation on reduced active ingredient and rate experiments

14:15 - 14:45

demonstration of a seed drill equipped with strip-till and Precision Planting accessories

14:45 - 15:15

practical demonstration of the above tools

15:15 - 16:00

animal husbandry: demonstration of intermittent grazing and grazing cells, intermittent grazing

16:00 -

informal discussion

In case of rain, the lectures will be held indoors, without practical demonstrations.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host

Ferenc Berend was born in 1975, agricultural engineer, his company is Berend Kft. Pusztakovácsi based in Somogyvár-Vityapuszta and Öreglak family business engaged in soil regeneration agriculture.

After abandoning ploughing, it switched to no-tillage over its entire area from 2011, with the  no-till cultivation will be carried out from 2019. Berend Ltd. regularly conducts trials at its own expense to adapt the no-till technology to local conditions. Several practical demonstrations have been organised for farmers interested in this type of farming and related technologies.

Feri is a regular contributor to videos and articles on regenerative farming. Berend Ltd. and Ferenc Berend are also pillar members of the Soil Renewal Farmers Association. From 2020, it has also integrated livestock farming into its farming, with animals on arable land, grazed intermittently.

This method is not only unique in Hungary, but also a rarity in the world. His wife and three children (a daughter and two sons) help him with the farming.

Attila Kökény is a founding member of the TMG Association, Working on the Hungarian adaptation of the technological framework for soil regeneration agriculture since 2010. as a smallholder farmer with 15 hectares, he started using direct-seeded, composite cover crops, for which he produced his own seed drill.

Presented the regenerative agriculture framework and results to thousands of farmers since 2014, has started the process of no-till in several economies. For many years, he has supported the work of the ÖMKI by conducting no-till and min-till wheat variety testsIn 2016, he built the RAD direct seeder with Gellért Kaszás, a custom-made seeder that has been helping small farms under 300 hectares to start no-till ever since.

Initiated the creation of the TMG Association in 2018to make the presence of renewable producers visible in the country. Technology advisor for the NESTLÉ/Purina LENS programme since 2021, which supports the transition of Hungarian suppliers to regenerative agriculture.Since 2022, as an advisor to the coal management company Agreena, he also provides the technological background for the financial support of Hungarian farmers moving from ploughing to no-till.

Registration for the event

Entrance fee: 50.000 HUF, which supports the TMG Association.

Participation is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the participation fee.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it primarily to those who already have experience in soil conservation technologies or who are planning to include animals in their systems. Useful for those who There are slopes above 12% who are worried about crop protection problems and want to hear the solution. Alternatively for professionals running large farms who want to see practical large-scale solutions. It is also recommended for livestock farmers who want to learn how to save on feed costs. A Participation is limited and priority will be given to farmers.

The event will still be held indoors. In this case, there will be a presentation with a screening on the topics indicated in advance, with four experts, in conference format.

There is only one reason for this: you did not enter your e-mail address correctly when registering. We have now automated the registration process. If you get stuck or are in doubt about anything, please call the number provided during the day or send an email to rendezveny@tmg.hu.

Yes, we are preparing a stew. If you don't eat meat, we ask that you provide your own snacks.

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Photos from the event

Farmers Forum - No-till direct sowing on sand

Farmers Forum - No-till direct sowing on sand

Brave fortune favours the brave, or how a young man manages on the sands of the lowlands without his own direct launcher. Lecture, experience sharing, sowing demonstration, autumn crop viewing.
Kiskunmajsa | Land of Zoltán Szabó
Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Video report

They said about our previous training

"I talked to a lot of interesting people. Some of them were complete beginners, pathfinders, and I hope they enjoyed this experience of a world full of life as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the Event."
Stephen
Pusztaszabolcs
"I really liked the fact that Flórián, when he had no experience, was honest and said that was the next step. His translation was also perfect. All credit to him."
Otto
Ludas
"I've been trying cover crops for a few years now, with more success in a small plot rather than less. But I've had a lot of answers here about what I've got wrong. Encouragement is important and I feel like I've gotten a serious positive "push" for the whole technology again."
Attila
Péterréve

Farmers' Forum

No-till direct seeding on sand

The educational day will take place at Zoltán Szabó's field in kiskunmajsa, from 8.15 to 8.45 in the morning, and then From 9am, we will introduce the Soil Renewal Farmers Association, the host, and talk about the theoretical basis of regenerative farming, the challenges of sand farming and attempts to find solutions.

Host of the day Zoltán Szabó, and his assistant Sándor Hargitai.

The practical demonstration will start at 10 am, the first part of which will triticale-pea intercropping explained during the stocktaking. The method and the reason for sowing in October and its use will also be discussed in the light of the experience gained from previous experiments.

The next topic presentation of minimum nutrient winter barley.

Then the previous cover cropand experiences.

Finally direct sowing of maizeyou can see, by Reto Stocker, a member of the TMG Association and then with the John Deere direct seeder he brought from Switzerland, while he explains why he uses this seeder, what it is suitable for, what he has changed.

In one go with sowing nutrient experiment setup is also happening, as Zoli wants to know whether his soils are in a condition that does not require fertiliser. So there will be a part where nitrogen is applied and another part where it is not. The ultimate goal is not to have to apply extra nitrogen at all.

Programme

Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Kiskunmajsa - Land of Zoltán Szabó
In the southern part of Kiskunmajsa towards Kígyóspuszta, in the Ágasegyháza vineyard area

8:15 - 8:45

Registration

9:00 - 9:10

Introduction of the TMG Association - Sándor Hargitai

9:10 - 9:20

Introduction of the host

9:20 - 9:35

Brief introduction to the principles of regenerative farming - Sándor Hargitai

Sándor Hargitai

One of the founding members of the Soil Restoration Farmers Association, the Water conservation tillage without rotation and the Min-till, no-till, strip-till tillage a farmer of facebook groups, who is open to the world and has been farming on good quality land in Békés County for ten years, without shooting for five years.

9:35 - 10:00

Challenges in sand farming - Zoltán Szabó and Sándor Hargitai

10:00 - 13:00

Practical demonstration

- Presentation of triticale-pea intercropping, its justification in production.
- Presentation of minimum nutrient winter barley.
- Cover crops at work: sharing useful experiences.
- Direct seeding of maize and setting up a single pass nutrient experiment.

Reto Stocker

A Swiss farmer who now lives and farms in Hungary, with much more modest rainfall conditions, using no-till. He is the association's direct seeding provider with many years of experience.

At the end of the event, everyone is welcome with a simple sandwich and a refreshing beer.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host

Zoltán Szabó graduated as a geographer, then worked in agricultural research, helped out on his family's farm, and seeing his parents' struggles, he thought, surely there must be a better way to do this, farms a total of 34 hectares, of which 22 hectares are arable, the rest grassland. From the beginning, he has been working towards abandoning ploughing, has been doing this for three years with minimum cultivation and direct sowing. He is persevering with the experiments he started a long time ago: areas 90% on experiment is set.

His biggest problem: he cannot buy a 5-6 million direct seeder, as it is not profitable for a few hectares. He sows his own crops with his own machine, some of which is only suitable for direct sowing, and the rest he has contracted out. His long-term goals are to buy a direct seeder and to manage the organic manure by composting it and spreading it on winter cover crops.

He has been a member of the TMG Association since its inception.

It has heterogeneous slabs: the soil is humic sand, which is quicksand in particle size, but higher in humus content: 1% in the higher areas and 3-4% in the flatter areas.

Registration for the event

Participation in the Farmers' Forum is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the HUF 20,000 participation fee.

How to apply:

Frequently asked questions

We recommend it primarily for farmers, and especially for those who farm on sand. Participation is limited and preference will be given to farmers.

The event will still be held at the Konecsni György Cultural Centre (6120 Kiskunmajsa, Hősök tere 6.). In this case, there will be a presentation with a screening on the topics given in advance.

There could be several reasons. You may not have entered your email address correctly when registering. Alternatively, since it's a human being sending the feedback, rather than an automated system, it may take some time for the confirmation message to arrive. For example, if you register in the evening, at night or at dawn, you can expect to receive a reply in the morning. If you register at the weekend, the earliest you will receive a reply is Monday. But if you get stuck anywhere in the process or are in doubt about anything, call the number provided during the day.

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Photos taken at the Farmers' Forum

Farmers' Forum - Regenerative farming in practice

Farmers' Forum - Regenerative farming in practice

Four birds with one stone: theoretical training, transfer of experience, live workflow and machinery must-see
Bajmok | Dózsa György Hungarian Cultural Centre
Wednesday 22 March, 2023

Farmers' Forum

Regenerative farming in practice

We will start the day at the Dózsa György Hungarian Cultural Centre in Bajmok (Southern Region, Serbia), You can register between 9:30-10:00, then At 10 am, we will introduce the TMG association and the theoretical and ideological foundations of regenerative farming.

Then, in a round table discussion with members of the association, they will hear about the transition to the regenerative path, the beginning of the journey, the possible pitfalls and how to overcome them.

From noon lunch (12:00-13:00), which will be followed by a Balkan-style roast lamb and pork will be available.

After lunch we move to the border and continue the field training on the estate of Flórián Farkas. Flórián is both host and instructor for the whole day.

In this context simple techniques for participants to learn:

  • how to handle the host stickto get a picture of the compactness of the earth,
  • is also a very simple way to check how water is absorbed by three different types of farmland. The one that has been unploughed for six years, the one that was converted a year ago and the one next door, which is still being ploughed.

The next programme is the we present a terminal for cover crops:

  • will be a Zetor, a 40-year-old Ferguson and a mash-up MTZ, and their respective implements, which will not come close to the price of a very expensive tractor. The point of our presentation is that you don't need a terribly expensive machine park for this type of cultivation.

We will also look at the function and effect of cover crops and see them in action.

The afternoon menu will also include maize sowing in two locations in a no-till and a strip-till area, which will show a simple mid-range Turkish seed drill at work in variously terminated bands. For non-believers, scraping the soil is a must: whether or not there is a grain of maize within two inches.

An inspection of the barley field the next point, sown in the autumn with a Rad seed drill. We'll also have soil analysis and leaf sample data, and we'll report on the inputs used, and you can even view those materials on site.

Finally, a rapeseed sown in a wheat field.

It will be a long, busy day, so please be punctual and patient as the experience will be shared in two languages: there will be Hungarian and Serbian participants.

Programme

Wednesday 22 March, 2023

Dózsa György Hungarian Cultural Centre
24210 Bajmok, Moša Pijade utca 14.

9:30 - 10:00

Registration

10:00 - 12:00

Panel discussion with TMG association farmers

Adam Varjú,

as one of our youngest members in South Transdanubia, but also one of our most experimental hosts.

Gellért Kaszás,

is not only one of our farmers in Vojvodina, but also the only direct seeder manufacturer in our association.

Antal Berente,

the moderator of the panel discussion, Vice President of the Soil Renewal Farmers Association, who has been farming on sand for many years with min-till and no-till on 100 hectares.

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00 - 15:30

Site visit

- Comparison of soil conditions: 5 years TMMG technology & classical technology.
- Termination of cover crops in 4 ways.
- Sowing maize in NO-TILL and STRIP-TILL.
- TMG Barley View
- TMG rape View
In case of rain, we will prepare presentations with photos and videos.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme and the dates.
The event will be video, audio and video recorded.

Meet our host.

Flórián Farkas Chartered agricultural engineer, crop consultant, a member of the TMG Association almost from the beginning. Working part-time with his father and son Farms 25 hectares, the farm is located on the border of Bajmok in the south, in the Telečka Gorge, a few kilometres from the Serbian-Hungarian border.

The soil is medium-quality chalky chernozem, the climate is dry, with an average annual rainfall of 630 mm. Maize, sunflower, wheat, barley, rapeseed and soya are produced.

It has not been ploughed since 2008, and between 2008 and 2017 it was cultivated with grass and strip-tillage, Since 2018, all their parcels are now in a regenerative system (notill, cover crops, rotation).

Registration for the event

Participation in the farmers' forum is subject to registration and is valid upon payment of the HUF 19,200* participation fee.

How to apply:

* the full price of the farmers' forum is HUF 19.200 (EUR 50) instead of HUF 49.800 per person, which can be provided for up to 100 participants. We would like to help farmers in the South of the country with the reduced price.

Frequently asked questions

Primarily for farmers. Participation is limited and preference will be given to farmers when applying.

The afternoon field session will be held indoors in the main hall of the Cultural Centre, with theoretical instruction and visuals.

The day is very busy, unfortunately we can't wait for anyone. We ask everyone to leave plenty of time to cross the border and read the useful information on border crossings. When planning your return journey, please also take into account the opening hours of the border crossing points.

There could be several reasons. You may not have entered your email address correctly when registering. Alternatively, since it's a human being sending the feedback, rather than an automated system, it may take some time for the confirmation message to arrive. For example, if you register in the evening, at night or at dawn, you can expect to receive a reply in the morning. But if you get stuck anywhere in the process or are in doubt about anything, call the number provided during the day. 

Lunch is optional: roast pork or roast lamb! Lunch will be provided in an organised setting for all participants, i.e. there will be information boards at the venue indicating the place, method and time of lunch! Seating for lunch will be limited!

Lunch is optional and can include lamb or mala roast and the accompanying side dish! Unfortunately we cannot cater for individual requests due to lack of capacity. In case of special requests, please make your own lunch arrangements!

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please email rendezveny@tmg.hu and one of our colleagues will be happy to answer you!

Videos from the Farmers' Forum


Photos taken at the Farmers' Forum

Soil Life Conference 2023

Soil Life Conference 2023

Nemesnádudvar | House of Culture
Monday, 16 January 2023
rendezveny@tmg.hu

Soil Life Conference 2023

Focus on soil health and regenerative agriculture

The aim of the conference is to provide a space for domestic regenerative farmers to meet, exchange experiences, network and meet each other, as well as those who are just winking in this direction. The Soil Regeneration Farmers Association, which is organising the event, has been working for years as a civil society organisation on how farmers can contribute to leaving a legacy of living soil. By sharing their valuable practical experience, they are helping to make this type of farming as widespread as possible.     

will be with us NO-Tiller

Ukrainian Mykhaylo Draganchuk has been farming no-till on 1400 hectares in Crimea since 2006. Founder of the No-Tiller youtube channel, which is the most popular blog on the subject. He is also the founder and initiator of one of the largest no-till conferences in Europe.

The first no-till book in English

In March, Mykhaylo Draganchuk's book No-Till for Beginners will be published in Hungarian. It will be useful for those who want to switch to the no-till system. It is a concise, technical book without pictures. If you want to get it, you should subscribe!

Exhibitors in the courtyard

We think it's important not just to talk about things, but to show what's possible in reality. That's why we exhibit direct sowing machines and other tools of minimal cultivation. Also on display will be liquid and solid versions of microbiological inoculants, as well as cover crop mixes.

Consultation as a VIP lodge

The most personalised part of the conference is where anyone can ask questions, which will be answered by experienced regenerative farmers. We can accommodate a total of 20 participants in the VIP box due to space limitations.

Programme

Monday, 16 January 2023

9:00 - 9:20

Opening by the President

Attila Szabó, President of the Soil Renewal Farmers' Association, will give a short speech, summarize the past of the organization, talk about the present and the future.

09:20 - 10:20

round table discussion

Pioneers of soil renewal in Hungary

A decade and a half of experience in domestic regenerative farming with a farmer's eye. Challenges and successes, feelings and production data, knowledge and experience. Five farmers, five landscapes, five soils.  

presenter: Víg Vitália 

fellow panellists: Ferenc Berend, Reto Stocker, Zoltán Szabó, Attila Szeredi, Péter Tamási 

10:20 - 10:30

break

10:30 - 12:00

presentation

My road to no-kill

Ukrainian Mykhaylo Draganchuk has been farming in Crimea for more than thirty years, without disturbing the soil for a decade and a half. With more than 40,000 followers, he is the owner of one of the most visited YouTube channels on the subject. He talks about what gave him the initial impetus to start a completely new farming practice, how he took his first steps and the challenges he faced. He will also share his impressions from his tour of Hungary and how his forthcoming book in Hungarian offers solutions that can be used by those who choose to engage in regenerative agriculture. 

Rapporteur: Mykhaylo Draganchuk, aka No-tiller

12:00 - 12:30

presentation

Why did wheat and maize fail to be grown without ploughing 40 years ago? 

In the early 1980s, there were more and more opportunities for agricultural professionals to study US agriculture. Dr. Bálint Nagy, then head of the Plant Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, saw the potential of no-till in Hungary based on his experiences abroad. He was thinking primarily of controlling soil erosion caused by spring rains. He asked the Hungarian representative of the ICI to set up experiments for wheat and maize cultivation with direct seeding at the Alkotmány MGTSZ in Bajna. The Bettinson disc direct seeder required for this was imported by ICI. The results of three years have clearly demonstrated that this technology makes it possible to avoid soil erosion, and yields have been around 10 tonnes. Why this successful technology did not take off will be discussed by the person responsible for the research at the time.

Rapporteur: Dr. József Tarjányi, retired agricultural engineer

12:30 - 14:30

lunch break

Sandwich sandwiches, scones, hornbread, coffee, tea. Or you can chat with anyone here, see the exhibitors in the courtyard, to build a relationship.

14:30 - 15.45

round table discussion

Professional help, support, but where from? - Guidelines for regenerative farming.

The roundtable discussion will be based on the analysis of the International Commission on Regenerative Agriculture of the European Academy of Sciences. The EASAC study will be used as a starting point for a discussion on the support farmers can expect from different areas (legislative, scientific, economic, educational).

presenter: Víg Vitália

invited panellists: Orsolya Valkó, Borbála Biró, a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Agroecology, MATE, and national expert of the European Union's Soil Health and Food Panel, Csilla Óvári - Head of Department and Senior Expert at the Institute of Agricultural Economics Zsombor Diriczi – Managing Director of Demeter Biosystems Ltd, TMG Board Member, Attila Kökény - a the main advocate and promoter of soil regeneration agriculture in Hungary, and currently head of Nesté's LENS programme, Antal Berente - Vice President of the TMG Association, Head of the Association's Education Committee

14.30 - 16.30

VIP box

For the truly determined. The part of the event where anyone can ask questions. Participation is by special registration, with a maximum of 20 people. The club afternoon starts at the same time as the roundtable discussion in the small hall.

on the podium: Mykhaylo Draganchuk, aka the No-Tiller, Ferenc Berend, Pierre-Yves Van Der Eecken

moderator: Krisztián Csizmás

The event will be recorded on video, audio and video, which will be edited and published later. 

The director reserves the right to change the programme.

 

Not just for beginners...

THE FIRST NO-TILL BOOK IN HUNGARIAN

In March, Mykhaylo Draganchuk's book No-Till for Beginners will be published in Hungarian. It will be useful for those who want to switch to no-till or have been trying for a while but have many questions. It's a concise, technical document without pictures.

Although Gabe Brown's book, Life from Dust, is already available here, it is more of an insight into regenerative agriculture, with the author sharing his own experiences to give a theoretical background.

Mykhaylo Draganchuk, the Ukrainian farmer, has brought a completely different tone to the table: on 150 pages he is very concise and succinct, so it is safe to say that this is the first professional book on the subject in Hungarian, and it is also the first to be published with Hungarian aspects.

It is expected to be out of print in March, thanks to the Soil Restoration Farmers Association, who have led the translation, undertaken the peer review and funded the whole project.

To purchase the book, click on the button.