12/28/2024

Results of the Fourth Cohort Graduation from the "Farmer's School"

On December 27, Omsk State Agrarian University (Omsk SAU) hosted a ceremonial graduation for the students of the educational project "Farmer's School."

This large-scale educational project covers almost the entire territory of the Russian Federation and is aimed at improving the qualifications of farmers.

In 2024, based on a competitive selection, 31 participants were admitted to the project. The fourth regional wave of training took place under challenging weather conditions; however, the Omsk farmers managed to overcome all difficulties and reach the finish.

The "Farmer's School" is a joint project of “Rosselkhozbank”, Omsk SAU, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing Industry of the Omsk Region. The project involved representatives of personal subsidiary plots, peasant farms, individual entrepreneurs, and newcomers to the agricultural sector from Omsk and the Omsk Region. A distinctive feature of this cohort was the participation of five married couples, highlighting the importance of the family approach in agriculture.

The graduates were welcomed and wished success in all their endeavors by: Vice-Rector for Economics and Informatization Vitaly Mikhailovich Pomogaev; Head of the Sector for Small Farms Development of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Small Farms Development of the Ministry Tatyana Vladimirovna Erofeenko; Deputy Director of the Omsk Branch of “Rosselkhozbank”  Alexey Borisovich Denisov; Director of the Institute of Additional Professional Education Natalya Vladimirovna Gavrilova; and Dean of the Agrotechnological Faculty Alexey Alexeevich Gaivas; Dean of the Faculty of Zootechny, Commodity Science and Standardisation Elena Alexandrovna Chaunina; and Dean of the Faculty of Economics Oleg Anatolievich Blinov.

Over 2.5 months, the farmers not only gained new knowledge and practical experience but also became a close-knit team. Perhaps in a couple of years, some of the program's graduates will be able to give a tour of their farm or conduct a master class for new participants of the "Farmer's School" project. Vitaly Mikhailovich Pomogaev ceremoniously presented the "Farmer's School" graduates with their diplomas and certificates.

An "AgroBusiness Grant" competition was held among our graduates. This was a chance to present themselves and their ideas, with 8 farmers competing for the win with their projects. The winner was Vladimir Timoshenko, a graduate of the "Efficient Management of Dairy and Beef Cattle Farming" specialization. He was awarded a certificate for 300,000 rubles from the Agricultural Initiatives Support Fund.

The "Farmer's School" graduates thanked all those without whom this project would not have been possible: "Rosselkhozbank", the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing Industry of the Omsk Region, and the teachers of Omsk State Agrarian University. 

The "Farmer's School" has united representatives of the agricultural sector, demonstrating that farming is a family affair.

The team of Omsk SAU wishes the graduates success and prosperity, to keep moving forward and growing, and to build a sustainable business.