From Plans to Soil: Building Two Educational Bio-Farms in the Rhodopes

Between 15 January and 10 March, students and teachers from two Bulgarian schools turned project ideas into real, functioning green facilities. What started as plans developed during an international seminar became two educational bio-farms, built entirely through teamwork, local research, and hands-on learning.

The first bio-farm was established in the yard of Middle School “Sveti sveti Kiril i Metodiy” in Nedelino. It includes a 40 m² greenhouse, a composter, and solar-powered lighting. Designed to support the school’s culinary profile, the farm directly responds to the needs identified among students, teachers, and the local community. No major changes were made to the original plan - only small adaptations to planting schedules based on weather conditions.

The second bio-farm was built in Progled, the highest village in the region, at 1,400 meters altitude, and serves as a training base for the Professional Gymnasium of Forestry and Agriculture “Nikola Y. Vaptsarov” in Chepelare. Covering 500 m², it focuses on fruit trees, composting, and renewable energy through solar-powered illumination. The challenging climate turned into a learning opportunity, allowing students to test adaptability and growth techniques in real conditions.

Through these farms, students moved beyond theory - applying knowledge in practice and experiencing the full learning cycle. The facilities are now permanently integrated into school life and will continue to serve educational purposes for years to come.