TRAINING

The course has been designed to provide those interested in becoming involved in agro-tourism with the knowledge on which to base their decisions on which aspect of tourism is attractive, and the basic skills that they will require.

The course is divided into two parts and has ten modules:

Part One: Basic Skills

• bookkeeping,

• computer use and data processing, and

• modern language communication.

Part Two: Agro-tourism Skills

• introduction to agro-tourism, what is responsible agro-tourism? what are the opportunities?

• gastronomy

• accommodation & serving food for visitors;

• food handling and hygiene (RSPH course);

• guiding and related activities

• arts and crafts

• basics of running a business, tourism promotion and marketing.

Many who complete the course become involved in producing food products or providing services that are marketing under the Tarnava Mare brand.

On Thursday 1^st June, Childrens’ Day, Fundatia ADEPT held the first in series of educational presentations at Saschiz school. Forty four children from the villages of Saschiz, Cloasterf and Mihai Viteazul attended the presentations illustrated with animations, in Romanian language, on “Taste, food quality and the environment”. The presentations were given by food technologist John Taylor and by Romanian and British environment and rural development specialists.

The presentations were designed to explain to children in an exciting and stimulating way the scientific basis of taste, and why their locally grown fresh food is so special, and worth preserving and promoting.

ADEPT will give further presentations to schools in Saschiz and other communes of the Tarnava Mare area, as part of their programme of raising the profile of the area and its products.

Food Hygiene and Agri-environment courses have also been given to groups in many villages of the area, and from the Fara Foundation.

On Monday 29th May, the manager of Oat Farm was presented with her RSPH Hygiene certificate in the newly-opened ADEPT tourist information centre when she came to Saschiz to collect a prototype low technology solar dryer.

OAT Farm and Training Centre is situated in Suceava District in Northern Romania, close to FARA’s childcare programmes and has been running as an ecological farm since 2003.

The solar dryers have been introduced by FARA to provide the children with an additional source of income.

The first course on food hygiene, handling and preparation was held in Saschiz from 13-15 February.

Twenty one local people participated in the three day event and all achieved more than 68% to pass the final examination of 25 multiple choice questions.

The course was run by John Taylor who is an approved Tutor and Examiner for the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health “Essential Food Hygiene” and “Food Hygiene Awareness”, and HACCP courses.

Certificates which are recognised world wide once the examination papers have been scrutinised in London, were handed out by the Mayor of Saschiz on 6th April.