Romania
The seventh international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2024 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
The Cluj Horticultural Days, conducted within the Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, UASVM Cluj-Napoca reached the 3rd edition where the business in the field of horticulture, landscape architecture, tourism and rural development present the products and services to the people and entrepreneurial sectors. Also, during these days a lot of exhibitions and student activities bring the newest products in the field of horticulture, thus creating a connection between students and young people, which makes these days a good chance to show our business opportunities and student life on our campus.
” When there is no more agriculture, the Romanian village will disappear and our national identity will be lost!”
Motivated by this belief, on Friday, 17th May 2024, starting at 10 a.m., we organised the Agricultural Exhibition Fair of the local producers and the students from the “Alexiu Berinde” Technical Agricultural High School, in Seini, Maramureș county. The event is included in the regional project ”Ecological Agriculture – a bridge between the past and the future” (approved in C.A.E.R., no. 1241/01.02.2024). It offered a great opportunity to celebrate the Fascination of Plants Day.
Through our Exhibition Fair, we wanted to present examples of best practices for raising vegetable and flower seedlings in the greenhouses of our school, cultivating vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, zucchinis) and selling them at the local market. All these activities also gave us the chance to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, while presenting the career opportunities offered by a mostly agricultural high school to its future students.
This event paid homage to agriculture, to agricultural education, to the Romanian village and the fundamental values of our nation.
When we look at a landscape we see it as a whole, but in its structure, there are several layers that define it and give a special atmosphere. Every plant looks and feels differently. Following the GPS coordinates set on the campus map by using a smartphone, you will find a pathway that will immerse you into the green landscape of our campus made of mysterious species. Discover colorful flowers, impressive trees, smelling shrubs, prickly leaves, find them, smell them, taste them and read about the benefits and the importance of each one on the page that opens when you reach the plant! Coordinators Lecturer dr. Bodea Sonia and Assoc.Prof.dr. Denisa Jucan
The workshop will present creative ways to “transform” various specimens of vegetation that have lost their ornamental value through defoliation, chaotic growth or crown damage, into topiary forms, plant sculptures or even bonsai. The exposition will include a description of the pruning principles that apply in these cases, and the ways to maintain and improve the quality of the plants and will be accompanied by the presentation of the tools used, the work techniques, and practical examples of interventions in the crown of the plants will be shown. At the end of the workshop, there will be an interactive session, accompanied by discussions, questions and answers on the topics discussed. Assoc. prof. dr. Valentin Dan.
This activity aims to introduce participants to the culinary possibilities of edible flowers, including their selection, preparation, and incorporation into various dishes, while also discussing their cultural significance and health benefits. Edible flowers have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. Nowadays, flowers are used to make food look and/or taste better; however, they are also a very good source of valuable nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, macro and microelements). The exposition will include ways to valorise edible flowers in different vegetable matrices. By exploring the nutritional aspects of edible flowers, participants gain a deeper appreciation for these unique ingredients and the diverse culinary experiences they can offer. This event is organized by the Faculty of Food Science and Technology and coordinated by Assoc. prof. dr. Anamaria Pop, Lecturer dr. Georgiana Smaranda Marțiș.
The workshop is a competition initiated three years ago, at Fascination of Plants Day, now at its third edition.
Sustainable gastronomy presents a significant opportunity for fostering green recovery in various ways promoting local and seasonal foods, reducing food waste, putting emphasis on plant-based and low-impact ingredients and innovating food technology. It aims to select the best recipes, green gastronomy concepts, and methods to combine various vegetables, in a tasty plate. The winners of this competition will be selected by representatives of different food industry professionals. Diplomas and other awards are provided for the best high school students. This event is organized by the Faculty of Food Science and Technology and coordinated by Assoc. prof. dr. Anamaria Pop, Lecturer dr. Georgiana Smaranda Marțiș and Lecturer dr. Lucian Cuibus.
The Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, within the Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, through the teaching staff involved in the educational and research activity, is always concerned with the diversity of agricultural projects, the implementation of various practices and policies, the guidance and learning of students from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Landscape programs, so that in the future, they can ensure ecologically viable operations and conservation of plant biodiversity. It is not for nothing that agronomists as a whole are called “plant doctors”. This is because they are concerned about the health of the crops so that they can be safely used for food production, land reclamation, and also for their use as fuel. Together with our students from the 3 study programs of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and other colleagues, including the staff of the Research Station, we develop and carry out various works specific to the agricultural and horticultural fields. In the experimental fields, but also in the laboratories, our students benefit from the best guidance and involvement in carrying out specific works and activities. Also, because we are open to presenting our efficiency and our experience in the field, we participate in various projects in the field, together with the local community, our students, the other teaching staff of the other departments of the faculty, and even with local public administration institutions. One such example is Plantăm speranță project, which since 2016 has also been running with our participation – students and teaching staff – alongside communities and local administrations. It is an international project, in which volunteers (over 6,300 people) participate who have planted and cared for approximately 83,800 trees on an area of over 17 hectares of public land from 5 counties.