Opening of the YOUNG EUFRAS Training and Welcome Address:

Participants of the international training in Novo Mesto welcomed by Martin Mavsar, Director of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS).

Young European Agricultural Advisors at the CECRA Training in Novo Mesto

Erasmus+ Project and the Path to CECRA Certification

The training was organized under the framework of the Erasmus+ project YOUNG EUFRAS Training Program 2026–27, an initiative designed to provide young agricultural advisors with structured, systematic development of both their professional and interpersonal competencies. The program guides participants along the pathway toward earning the internationally recognized CECRA certificate (Certificate for European Consultants in Rural Areas), a benchmark standard for rural and agricultural consultancy across Europe.

At the opening of the training, participants were formally welcomed by Martin Mavsar, Director of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia. In his opening address, he wished the advisors productive work, an enjoyable stay in Slovenia, and an abundance of newly acquired knowledge and practical insights that they can immediately apply in their ongoing advisory activities.

Core Competency Modules: Advisor Profile and Advisory Communication

The educational program was facilitated by experienced international trainers: Jana Žiberna from CAFS, alongside Uwe Gottwald and Pablo Asensio from the Bavarian State Academy in Germany. The participants focused on two closely interrelated core domains: understanding their own role as advisors, and cultivating effective communication and relationship-building in advisory practice.

The first module, CECRA 01 – My Profile as an Advisor, encouraged participants to reflect on their professional competencies, personal traits and individual working styles. By identifying their strengths and areas for improvement, they explored how their personal approaches influence their work with farmers and how they can provide more targeted and effective support in different advisory situations.

The second module, CECRA 02 – Communication and Relationship Building in Advisory Work, focused on the importance of the relationship between advisors and farmers. Through role-playing, interactive exercises and practical tasks, participants developed their active listening skills, practised asking insightful questions and explored ways to guide complex advisory conversations.

A central message throughout the module was that successful advisory work depends on more than technical expertise. Advisors must also understand farmers' explicit and underlying needs, establish constructive dialogue and work together with them to develop tailored and sustainable solutions.

How can advisors build trust with farmers, communicate effectively, and gain a deeper understanding of their advisory role? These were the central questions of the international YOUNG EUFRAS training, which took place between 28 September and 2 October 2026 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Through practical exercises, peer-to-peer exchange, and on-site visits to Slovenian farms, young agricultural advisors from various European countries explored foundational approaches that significantly contribute to high-quality advisory work.

Interactive Workshop on CECRA 01 & 02 Modules
Participants engaged in communication exercises and self-reflection sessions facilitated by trainers Jana Žiberna, Uwe Gottwald, and Pablo Asensio.

The programme also included a visit to the agricultural advisory institute in Novo Mesto. Mateja Zajec, Head of the Agricultural Advisory Service in Novo Mesto, and her team introduced participants to the structure and operation of Slovenia's public agricultural advisory service.

The visit offered insights into the responsibilities of field advisors and specialised consultants, including the provision of technical and economic guidance to farmers across different agricultural sectors. Participants also learned about the institute's specialised activities in viticulture and enology, gaining a broader understanding of how agricultural advisory services support farming communities in practice.

An important part of the training was the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-life farming situations through visits to two Slovenian organic farms: Kastelic Organic Fruit Farm and Kukenberger Organic Dairy Farm.

At Kastelic Organic Fruit Farm, participants explored the everyday challenges of organic fruit production. Through direct engagement with the farm owners, they considered how structured advisory methods and constructive questioning could encourage meaningful discussions and help identify approaches to specific production challenges.

At Kukenberger Organic Dairy Farm, the focus was on animal husbandry and on-farm dairy processing. The visit showcased how raw milk production can be combined with value-added artisan dairy processing. Participants also explored how communication techniques can help advisors understand the wider operational, financial and strategic context behind farmers' business decisions.

These practical assignments gave participants the opportunity to reflect on how advisory approaches can be adapted to individual farm situations. They also demonstrated the importance of understanding the broader context in which farmers operate when supporting them in making informed decisions.

Bridging Theory and Reality Across European Borders

Direct engagement on the farms enabled participants to bridge classroom principles with concrete, practical examples. Simultaneously, it offered an immersive view into Slovenian farming practices and allowed advisors to exchange perspectives on common systemic and technical challenges encountered across different European member states.

International networking events such as YOUNG EUFRAS make a vital contribution to connecting emerging professionals, fostering the dissemination of good practices, and building a unified European understanding of modern agricultural consultancy. Participants acquire cross-cutting competencies that extend beyond specific agronomic sectors, equipping them to work collaboratively with people, facilitate change in established practices, and guide rural enterprises toward sustainable, long-term development.

The Advisor as an Empathetic Communicator and Catalyst for Change

The overarching message of the Novo Mesto training is clear: a truly effective advisor is not merely a technical expert, but also an active listener, a trusted partner, and an enabler of positive transformation. Seamlessly combining technical knowledge with communication and relational skills constitutes the foundational pillar of modern agricultural extension.

The Novo Mesto training represents a key milestone within the broader YOUNG EUFRAS program. Over the coming project periods, participating advisors will continue expanding their competencies through subsequent modules and field-based assignments, systematically progressing toward the award of their full CECRA credentials.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.”

Field Visits to Organic Farms Kastelic and Kukenberger
Young European advisors engaging with farmers during practical field assignments at the Kastelic fruit farm and Kukenberger dairy farm.