Day 1 - Feb 19th, 2025
Lithuania, the country of amber, basketball, innovative agribusinesses and cold pink soup, marked the culmination of AALP Class 20’s ten day journey in the Baltic States. Our first stop as we entered Lithuania was the Hill of Crosses, a national symbol of defiance and endurance for a country that fought continuously for its independence. During the Soviet occupation, religious practice was banned and the crosses were destroyed multiple times, only to be replaced by locals during the night. Today hundreds of thousands of crosses mark the hill and stand as a testament to the courage of the Lithuanian people.
In the evening, class 20 spent time with a rural family learning traditional bread making, and Lithuanian song and dance.
Day 2 - Feb 20th, 2025
We started our day off with a bus ride to a Case iH dealership that serves as Lithuania’s head office. Originally serving only Lithuanian farmers, they now are main suppliers for Estonia and Latvia as well. At the head office we were given a brief presentation on the history of the company from its humble beginnings to its current diverse list of companies, partners and industries that they now service, research and work with.
Following our head office visit, we met at Akola Groups Innovation Centre. Akola is the largest agri-business in the Baltics with over 60 different locations and a diverse portfolio including fertilizers, pesticides, veterinary products, cattle, chickens, compound feed, seed, milk products, pet food, and instant foods to name just a few of their products.
We had a great discussion and Q&A with several of their marketing team, developers, and managers, Their emphasis was on the importance of long term relationships and strong partnerships.
Day 3 - Feb 21st, 2025
Day 3 was a tour of farms and agribusinesses around central Lithuania. Our first stop was Tikras Úkis, a 110 ha cabbage and carrot farm, the largest in Lithuania. Class 20 was welcomed by the daughter, Sandra who is the second generation on the farm and is working towards succession from her parents. She was open and candid about the struggles of working with family, especially when there is a shift in authority. This topic resonated with many in AALP Class 21.
Facing similar challenges to Ontario surrounding labour, Sandra is working to make the farm efficient and sustainable decreasing labour requirements to encourage the next generation to take over the farm.
The second stop of the day was Laumetris, a custom manufacturer of tillage, transport, spray and hemp equipment. Established in 1993 by three co-founders, the company began major expansion in 2003 after Lithuania joined the EU. Today, they manufacture equipment for customers throughout the EU, as well as parts of Asia and one customer in Western Canada. They are currently working with partners in Canada on ways to alter their current spray tanks for use in wildfire fighting
At the third stop we were greeted by Donatas, one of the sons managing the family limousine beef farm. The family farms approximately 1000 ha and raises 500 head of cattle. When Donatas was a child, the family was subsistence farming with a small parcel of land and a few pigs, cows and chickens. Once Lithuania joined the EU they were able to expand their farm with aid from the government. As was the theme with most of our farm visits, Donata hoped the next generation would continue the family business.
Our final stop of the day took us to an amber workshop where we met with Lina who taught us the history of amber, its benefits, how to test for true amber and led us in a friendship bracelet making activity. Amber is fossilized tree resin that can be found globally but the largest deposits are in the Baltic region. Amber has become a symbol of the area. There are many health benefits that are associated with amber. Lithuanian ancestors used amulets to ward off evil spirits while today it is used as a teething aid for babies, for pain and stress relief and in teas and oils. After discussing the history of amber, Lina demonstrated that real amber will light on fire and will float in saltwater. We ended the workshop with an AALP friendship bracelet activity.
Day 4 - Feb 22th, 2025
A bright sunny morning was spent with an entertaining guide exploring the restored castle of Trakai. We were introduced to its history and stories of the island, lake, town and people that surround the castle.
Following our tour, we were off to the Capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, the final city of our study tour. Upon arrival we attended the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. We had a wonderful tour guide who took us through history and horrors during the years from 1940 to 1991. The facility has functioned over centuries. We began with the first use of this facility in 1899 by the Russian empire, next it was an institution of the German occupying power, then it housed the courts of the Polish rulers, was returned back to Russian occupation and before WWII it became the headquarters of the German Secret Police including a NKGB prison. Established in 1993 - about 2 years after independence, it operates as a museum to commemorate those unjustly convicted and murdered, those who fell in foreign wards, those who suffered and died in repression and exile, those who fled from the occupying powers, those who were scattered around the world. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights stands today as a reminder of the courage and resilience Lithuanian and all the Baltics overcame to finally get their freedom back.
The evening took us on a walking tour of Vilnius, through its historic streets, rich history and beautiful architecture.
Day 5 - Feb 23rd, 2025
Our last day in Lithuania took a turn back the present and towards the future of agribusiness. We visited with one of the proprietors of the largest vertical farm in the EU and were also hosted by the Minister and key directors of the Ministry of Agriculture. Our final hours were devoted to exploring Vilnius.
Our first stop of the day was Leafood, a vertical farm on the outskirts of Vilnius which was co-founded by Valentinus Civinskas and Nerijus Baliunas in partnership with Taiwanese vertical farm maker, YesHealth. The total growing area covers 13,000 square meters within 4000 square meters of farm space producing on average 800 kg of leafy greens and herbs each day. Everything is grown hydroponically with controlled lighting and temperature to mimic natural sunlight. The farm is powered by 100% renewable energy from solar and wind which helps to offset their CO2 emissions. Classical music could be heard throughout the building as they employ the Backster Effect, the idea that plants respond positively to music, to improve plant growth. Looking to the future Valentinus hopes to expand with vertical farms in neighbouring countries.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Agriculture provided us with an informative presentation by Dr. Antanas Venckus, head of International Affairs and Export Promotion Department. Content stressed Lithuania’s important agricultural sectors such as wheat, dairy, meat and bakery, to name a few. Over the last 3 years they have exported more than they’ve imported by creating a market that distinguishes themselves with high quality, traditional and organic products.
Afterwards we had an open round table discussion about Canada and the Baltics partnerships and trade, and our similarities and differences.
Lithuania taught us lessons about resilience, innovation, value-added product development, the importance of history, and we met individuals that were examples of tenacity and foresight. All excellent information for global leaders in the agriculture and food sector.