What, when and who?
My name is David Pejić and I am the current owner and director of Zrno Organic Farm, the oldest organic farm in Croatia, founded in 1988.
Background and goals
Our goal is to accelerate the development of organic agriculture by showcasing and developing innovative production practices and sharing them with the broader agriculture community. What drives us, is the notion that a healthy individual is a precondition for a healthy society. At Zrno Organic Farm, our commitment to a plant-based lifestyle extends beyond just our farming practices. We ensure that all our products are entirely free from animal derivatives, embracing a holistic approach to sustainability. Through these efforts, we hope to highlight the positive changes that a plant-based lifestyle can bring, both to individual health and to our planet.
Throughout the years, Zrno Organic Farm has become the symbol and the focal point of organic agriculture in Croatia and the broader region. Our innovative projects and holistic business ecosystem have attracted significant international attention and have culminated in 2022, when we were named the best organic farm in the European Union. Throughout all this time, we have cherished and developed relationships with all stakeholders of the food supply chain and facilitated the development of common ground between them.
Next to all products being free from animal derivatives, our commitment to a plant-based lifestyle is vividly reflected in our vegan bistro, where each dish is a testament to the versatility and richness of plant-based cuisine. Our bistro not only serves as a culinary haven for vegan food enthusiasts but also stands as an educational platform, showcasing how plant-based meals can be both nutritious and delicious.
In partnership with Makronova, our educational institute, we conduct workshops and sessions focused on the health and nutritional benefits of a balanced plant-based diet. These educational initiatives are designed not just to inform but also to inspire our community to adopt more sustainable eating habits.
Learning together
What is innovative about your initiative?
Zrno Organic Farm demonstrates and innovates an unique farming model with over 150 certified organic products in 4 different modes of production: primary crop, processing, bakery and Croatia's first and only certified 100% organic restaurant. Our most recognisable innovation is the largest biointensive garden in the region, with over 200 permanent no-till beds using the DCM (Deep Compost Mulch) method. This project represents the cutting edge development of regenerative organic methods designed to improve soil quality, microbiome, water retention and general biodiversity. Understanding the significant impact of industrial meat production on the environment, we've made it a key component of our business to offer a sustainable alternative. By promoting a plant-based diet, making products without animal derivatives and combining it with a vegan bistro, we aim to lessen our ecological footprint and encourage a more harmonious relationship with nature.
How were you able to finance your work?
We are a family business that started in 1990 with education and activism about healthy lifestyles and ecology. With time, this educational activity was enriched by organic food trade, retail and book publishing. In 2010, this provided us with enough capital to acquire Zrno organic farm, allowing us to be vertically integrated and guarantee true farm to table experiences.
What hurdles and obstacles did you encounter along your way and how did you deal with them?
Some of the obstacles we encountered include:
- A relatively undeveloped organic food market in Croatia in terms of institutional development, market research and education.
- A rapidly ageing and shrinking workforce, especially in the rural areas.
- Extreme weather due to climate change.
- Poor basic infrastructure in the rural area we are situated in.
We have dealt with all of these and continue to deal with them through perseverance, patience, diversification, long-term thinking and passion.
What have you had particularly good experiences with? What recommendations would you like to share with other actors?
Our biggest advantage is the fact that we have our own business ecosystem we can leverage to build relationships with our customers and offer unique products and services. The farm grows its own food which it processes and then serves to restaurant guests or sells through our wholesale company or our retail food stores. The customers learn about these products through our education programs or our book publishing company. The system is designed to thrive on synergy. This type of diversification is crucial for long term resilience and sustainability.
Are there any tools or other forms of support that have played a role for you?
Collaborations with international farmers, leveraging technology for efficient farm management, and community support have been crucial in our growth.
Where do you see yourself/your organisation in a few years? How do you rate your future prospects?
We are optimistic about the future. The growing awareness and demand for sustainable, organic produce positions Zrno Farm for continued success and impact in the realm of organic farming.
What are your demands for politicians?
Further development of the organic food standard and commitment to its future. Rejection of GMOs, NGTs and the efforts of large corporations to co-opt the term "regenerative agriculture" for their chemical conventional agendas.
Exchange and support
Are you involved in one or more networks or partnerships?
We have a partnership with Makronova.
Contact
Organization: Zrno Organic Farm
E-mail: info@bio-zrno.hr
This project presentation is licensed under the following CC license: CC-BY - Attribution