Ento FARM

🌿 EntoFARM Students' Visit to the University of Thessaly 🌿
Classrooms gave way to laboratories, research facilities, and open scientific dialogue as students, teachers, researchers, and project partners from Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia gathered at the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment of the University of Thessaly in Volos.
The programme combined presentations, laboratory tours, interactive discussions, and networking — offering students the rare opportunity to experience first-hand how research is translated into practical, high-tech solutions for environmental and agricultural challenges.

🎙️ Opening & Project Vision
The event opened with welcome remarks from the University of Thessaly and the project coordinator, INNOFY/Fraud Line. Vassilis Stamatopoulos, PhD, presented the vision, objectives, and key outputs of EntoFARM, highlighting how insect farming technologies and innovative educational approaches can support circular economy practices.

🔬 Into the Laboratories
One of the most engaging parts of the visit saw participants exploring the university's laboratories and research facilities. Through direct interaction with researchers and university staff, students observed ongoing work in entomology, insect farming, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy applications — connecting classroom learning with real-world scientific practice.

🎓 Student Voices from the Field
A central part of the event belonged to the students themselves. Young participants from Greece and Bulgaria shared their reflections on EntoFARM's hands-on pilot activities, explaining how the project influenced their understanding of sustainability, insect farming, and agriculture as a modern STEM pathway. Their presentations showed how experiential learning can reshape perceptions of agriculture as an innovative, technology-driven field.

🗣️ Key Speakers & Contributors
▸ Vassilis Stamatopoulos, PhD — Fraud Line / INNOFY
Presented the vision and key outputs of the EntoFARM project.
▸ Christos Roumpos, PhD — Asst. Professor, University of Patras
Explored the role of circular economy practices in sustainable agriculture and how research and innovation can drive more responsible production systems.
▸ Georgia Baliota, PhD — University of Thessaly
Coordinated the entire programme, guided the agenda, and facilitated interaction among all participants.
▸ Marijana Dimitrova — Inter-EDU
Presented the results of the pilot activities implemented in North Macedonia, highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration and sustainability-focused education.
▸ Hannah Quellhorst, PhD — Entomology Researcher
Shared her academic and professional journey in entomology, championing female representation in STEM and inspiring participants to pursue careers in science.
▸ Thanassis Vogiatzis, MSc — Entomology Specialist
Offered practical advice and an inspiring personal story, encouraging participants to explore new academic and career pathways in sustainable science.

👩‍🔬 Women in STEM
A highlight of the event was an open discussion on female participation and representation in STEM — particularly within agriculture and entomology, where women remain underrepresented. Through personal stories, practical advice, and honest dialogue, participants explored inclusion, motivation, and future career possibilities in science and research.

🎬 Documentary Preview & Learning Modules
Participants also had the opportunity to view a preview of the students' documentary developed within the project, alongside the EntoFARM learning modules — offering a window into the full educational journey and impact of the project across partner countries.

💬 Closing Reflection
The event closed with an interactive reflection session in which students exchanged impressions, feedback, and key takeaways. The discussions reinforced the importance of experiential learning, international collaboration, and innovative educational approaches in motivating young people to engage with sustainability and STEM-related fields.

This was more than an educational activity — it was a meaningful exchange of ideas, cultures, and aspirations. We truly believe this can only be the beginning of the EntoFARM journey, and we look forward to building even more opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable education in the future.

🌱 The Future of Sustainability is Here – And it’s in Your Classroom!

We are excited to announce that our official EntoFARM Circular Economy Educational Toolkit is now published and available for educators across Europe!

Our goal is to modernize education by showing students that agriculture isn’t "outdated", it’s high-tech, sustainable, and essential for our planet. This open-source toolkit provides teachers with everything they need to introduce students to the world of insect farming and circular economy principles.

What’s included?

✅ 5 Comprehensive Learning Modules ✅ Hands-on "Waste-to-Resource" activities ✅ Interactive multimedia & assessment tools ✅ A guide to building your own low-cost EntoFARM

Help us empower the next generation of STEM leaders and sustainability advocates!

👉 Download the free toolkit in the link in the comments.

🐛 EntoFARM at Patras IQ 2026!

The EntoFARM project was proudly showcased at Patras IQ 2026, one of Greece’s leading innovation events, engaging students and stakeholders in sustainability and circular economy practices.

Visitors explored:
🔬 Live insect farming demonstrations
🌱 Products like protein meal, insect oil & frass fertilizers
♻️ How insects transform organic waste into valuable resources

Through interactive discussions and hands-on experiences, EntoFARM highlighted the power of science and education in building a more sustainable future.

🚀 Inspiring the next generation through innovation and circular thinking!

🌱 Empowering Teachers for a Sustainable Future!

On 26 March 2026, Inter-Edu hosted a successful ENTOFARM webinar for natural science teachers in North Macedonia, bringing together 20 educators eager to explore innovative sustainability practices.

Participants discovered:
🔬 How to set up an insect farm using ENTOFARM tools
📘 Project insights, resources, and modules
💬 Interactive discussions and idea exchange

The session was highly engaging, with strong enthusiasm for applying these ideas in the classroom!

🚀 ENTOFARM continues to support teachers in shaping a more sustainable future.

❄️ Between 13–15 March 2026, our partners in Bulgaria Сдружение "Професионален форум за образованието"/ Association PFE delivered the EntoFARM training in the context of the Winter Pedagogical Academy in Velingrad, that brought together over 60 educators from across Bulgaria.

This year’s focus included sustainability and the circular economy, with special emphasis on:

🔹 The EntoFARM project and its role in promoting “green” skills among students
🔹 Innovative approaches to integrating sustainability into education
🔹 Hands-on, experiential learning methods connected to real-world environmental challenges

Participants exchanged ideas, built new competencies, and explored how circular economy principles can be embedded in everyday teaching practice.

💙 Thank you to all participants for the inspiration, collaboration, and commitment to sustainable education!

🚀 On March 13th, our partners in Сдружение "Професионален форум за образованието"/ Association PFE successfully delivered an in-person teacher training in Bulgaria at ISU "Metodiy Draginov" in Draginovo, focusing on sustainability and circular economy in education.

More than 70 educators actively participated in hands-on sessions exploring innovative approaches to teaching sustainability. The training highlighted:

🔹 The EntoFARM project and its focus on circular economy practices through sustainable insect farming
🔹 Practical ways to integrate sustainability and environmental awareness into the classroom
🔹 Hands-on learning approaches that connect students with real-world environmental challenges

Through initiatives like EntoFARM, teachers are empowered with tools and resources to bring circular economy concepts into education and inspire the next generation towards more sustainable practices.

🙏 Thank you to all participants for your engagement and enthusiasm!

🌱 Exciting moments at AGROTICA 2026!

The Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών University of Patras & Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας showcased the EntoFARM project, bringing sustainable innovation to life through insect-based solutions and circular economy practices.

From live demonstrations to hands-on learning, visitors discovered how science can transform waste into valuable resources for a greener future.

🌍 EntoFARM in Štip, North Macedonia! 🐛✨

The EntoFARM pilot successfully came to life at the Goce Delčev Elementary School in Štip, turning sustainability into a hands-on experience for students and teachers. From insect farming to circular economy principles, participants explored how everyday organic waste can be transformed into valuable resources using open-source technology.

Learning by doing, curiosity in action, and young minds shaping a more sustainable future, this is EntoFARM in action! 🌱♻️

👉 Read more in the link in the comments

EntoFARM Pilot Lands in Bulgaria! Hands-On Learning at BUZEMA Agricultural High School 🇧🇬

On 10 December 2025, we delivered the second EntoFARM pilot. The day brought together students, teachers, and our pilot team for an inspiring hands-on session where sustainability and circular thinking moved from theory into real practice. 💡🔄

🐛 Students explored mealworm farming through short inputs and interactive activities. They learned how a small insect farm works, what is needed for successful rearing, and how insect-based processes can support waste reduction and circular approaches in agriculture.

🌿 The session also included a simple learning experiment using frass (the natural by-product of insect farming) with plants, giving students a chance to observe real outcomes over time.

✨ Ηighlight of the day was the installation of the EntoFARM unit at the school! This means students can continue experimenting, monitoring, and caring for the system well beyond the pilot session. A great step toward deeper learning and engagement with sustainable agricultural practices.

🙏 A warm thank-you to the BUZEMA school community for the hospitality, enthusiasm, and active participation. We’re excited to build on this important step in Bulgaria! 🇧🇬🌍

📸 Check out some highlights from our pilot below!

📍 Volos | 1ο ΕΠΑΛ Βόλου
On 2 December 2025, we successfully implemented the first EntoFARM pilot!

Students and teachers joined an interactive session with mealworm farming 🐛, circular approaches ♻️, and a simple plant growth experiment using frass 🌱.

A major milestone: the EntoFARM unit was installed at the school, supporting continued learning and student engagement beyond the pilot

A big thank you to the school community for the warm welcome and active participation! 💛

🌱 New EntoFARM Guides Are Here! 🐛

Learn how to build and manage your own mealworm farm while exploring sustainability and the circular economy.

Our EntoFARM Guide and Quick Guide are now available in 4 languages: Greek, Bulgarian, English & Macedonian. 🌍

👉 Find out more and download the guides at the link in the comments.

Be part of the change: Small steps for a more sustainable future! 🌿