Green Day @ ferma bio&co: Organic farming and social inclusion, from the ground up

Ferma bio&co, a social farm project developed by the Romanian NGO Ateliere Fără Frontiere, hosted Ziua Verde on June 14 – a celebration of organic farming and community. The event brought together families, nature lovers, supporters of sustainable agriculture, and advocates for the social economy, in a relaxed atmosphere near Bucharest, in Ciocănari, Dâmbovița County.

Ateliere Fără Frontiere launched ferma bio&co in 2015 with a dual mission: to create stable jobs for people from vulnerable backgrounds in rural areas and to grow certified organic vegetables delivered directly to consumers.

Organic farming, from farm to fork

At ferma bio&co, agriculture is practiced in line with the European Farm to Fork strategy. The vegetables are cultivated without chemical inputs – no herbicides, insecticides or other substances that harm soil quality and biodiversity.

In 2018, the farm was awarded organic certification for nearly four hectares of land, where around 80 varieties of vegetables are grown each year. The produce is delivered through short supply chains, directly to customers in Bucharest and Ilfov, encouraging local and responsible consumption.

Ferma bio&co is rooted in sustainable development principles: preserving natural resources, reducing food waste, and promoting healthy eating. The farm also includes an educational space for children to explore topics such as biodiversity, nutritious food, and environmental protection.

“At ferma bio&co, we show that organic farming can go hand in hand with social inclusion, offering vulnerable people the opportunity for a fresh start in a dignified and sustainable environment.”  – Cristina Bîcîilă, General Manager, Ateliere Fără Frontiere.

A social mission and rural economic growth

The employees are locals from Ciocănari and nearby villages, most of them with limited access to education or job opportunities. They work full time, drawing on their experience working the land and growing vegetables in ways that respect both nature and human dignity.

Green Day – learning through joy and hands-on experiences

During the June 14 event, participants enjoyed guided farm tours, kids’ workshops, live cooking sessions with local products, and a summer-inspired lunch featuring fresh vegetables, local cheeses, delicious salads, and apple pie.

Children took part in a treasure hunt and painted on mesh canvases, while parents explored the seasonal organic vegetable market and partner stalls. Attendees got a firsthand look at a farm that adheres to organic principles and left with freshly harvested vegetables picked that very morning.

The event is part of CROP – the Resource Center for People and Planet, an innovative project aimed at increasing awareness among youth aged 6 to 18 about organic farming and circular economy practices. Through games and immersive educational activities at the farm, young people learn about sustainable consumption and environmental protection.

“Green Day was an outdoor learning experience where participants discovered what organic farming truly means, and the deep connection between food, nature, and community. Through the educational activities developed by the Resource Center for People and Planet, we promote a hands-on approach to nature so that environmental education and healthy food become more engaging and relevant for young people.” – Mădălina Hornoiu, Project Manager, CROP.

Weekly deliveries of organic vegetables

The social farm continues to bring organic farming closer to the community through weekly deliveries of fresh vegetables to subscribers in Bucharest and Ilfov. Every Wednesday, bio&co boxes are distributed to 14 local pick-up points or delivered directly to homes.

Each box contains six to eight varieties of seasonal vegetables, picked the same day (or at most the day before), grown without pesticides or herbicides, and certified organic. By operating through a short supply chain, ferma bio&co reduces its carbon footprint and promotes responsible consumption, offering direct access to locally grown produce.

Ateliere Fără Frontiere is a Romanian nonprofit organization working for the social, professional, and civic reintegration of vulnerable individuals. It is part of the SOS Group – International Action, a global network dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ferma bio&co is one of four work integration social enterprises run by Ateliere Fără Frontiere, alongside remesh, educlick, and logietic. The farm combines organic agriculture with social inclusion. Here, people facing vulnerability are supported in building new professional paths while growing certified organic vegetables delivered to clients in Bucharest and Ilfov.