https://www.irta.cat/en/centre/irta-sant-carles-de-la-rapita/

Time schedule: 8:30 AM CEST – 6 pm CEST.

The 20€ fee includes round-trip by bus Barcelona – IRTA, coffee break, and lunch. 

Capacity up to 50 people.

IRTA La Ràpita is a research centre located in the Ebro Delta Natural Park, Southern Catalonia. Research activities at IRTA La Ràpita focus on aquaculture, ecology, environmental monitoring, and landscape conservation. Ebro Delta is the largest wetland in Catalonia and one of the most important aquatic habitats in the western Mediterranean. It has been included in category A (of exceptional interest) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Moreover, it is the most important agricultural region of Catalonia, with rice being the main crop (32,000 hectares, 50% of the cultivated area), grown between April and September.

During the visit to this IRTA centre on 12th September 2024, we will be introduced to different ongoing projects related to aquaculture, marine biodiversity and, if the harvest season allows for it, see the rice fields at the end of their growing period or being harvested.

It is recommended to bring a cap/hat, water, comfortable shoes and clothes, and sunscreen.

https://www.irta.cat/en/centre/mas-badia/

https://www.irta.cat/en/centre/irta-monells/

Time schedule: 8:30 AM CEST – 6 pm CEST.

The 20€ fee includes round-trip by bus Barcelona – IRTA, coffee break, and lunch. 

Capacity up to 50 people.

IRTA Mas Badia and IRTA Monells are located in the province of Girona, Northeast of Barcelona. At IRTA Mas Badia, research activities related to agronomy, ecological production and bioenergy, post-harvest physiology, and the efficient use of water and fertilizers in fruit trees and extensive crops, are carried out. The Monells centre hosts the Monells Bovine Station (EVAM), an innovative dairy cattle farm that applies latest technological developments in animal handling (e.g. feeding strategies, drinking troughs, waste management) and animal well-being with a cross-disciplinary vision to foster circularity and environmental sustainability in the milk production industry.

During the visit to these IRTA centres on 12th September 2024, we will get introduced to different long-term research projects on ecological farming practices in fruit trees and extensive crops, with a focus on maintaining and improving carbon content and soil health by using organic fertilizers. Moreover, we will get the opportunity to discover the latest generation of dairy cattle farms adding a stopover in the Monells Bovine Station.

It is recommended to bring a cap/hat, water, comfortable shoes and clothes, and sunscreen.

https://www.irta.cat/en/centre/irta-torre-marimon/

Time schedule: 9 AM CEST – 4 pm CEST.

The 20€ fee includes round-trip by bus Barcelona – IRTA Torre Marimon, coffee break, and lunch.

Capacity up to 50 people.

IRTA Torre Marimon is located in Caldes de Montbui, a municipality on the outskirts of Barcelona. This centre hosts IRTA’s headquarters and a wide range of scientific research dedicated to optimizing and improving agricultural and livestock production, guaranteeing food quality, promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, facing the challenges of climate change, and quantifying and reducing environmental footprint of food systems via LCA.

During the visit to this IRTA centre on 12th September 2024, we will have the opportunity to get to know its greenhouses, the agricultural plots, and the research on regenerative farming practices in the vineyards. Furthermore, we will discover the history of the building and its tower, which are listed as buildings of architectural heritage protection in Catalonia.

It is recommended to bring a cap/hat, water, comfortable shoes and clothes, and sunscreen.