Last week some friends and I toured the agricultural high school for fun. Think about it: how often would a school tour be entertaining? Well, this one was. Founded in 1864, the school is sited in a former monastery dating back to the 1200s. Apart from a brief respite during WWII (when the building was used as a hospital...during which time, sadly, many of the records were lost), it has been operating ever since.
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Crummy view
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| Plaque commemorating 140th anniversary |
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Entry into main courtyard
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At the Agraria, freshmen are taught how to create topological maps using all appropriate instruments...both by hand and using CAD (computer-aided design). In fact, by the end of their tenure, they are EU-certified for CAD work. They also learn computer coding and other skills for their work later on in the course.
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| Today's CAD room |
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Equipment used in previous years
They also start propagating plants (specializing in heirloom varieties)...from pollinating the flowers to creating seeds, to agar-medium growth, etc. (of course, they have greenhouses). I am sure they also graft and use cuttings, but some of the terms were above my Italian skills. I nodded and looked impressed, and that seemed to satisfy them.
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Plant propagation lab, complete
with gorgeous view
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 The chemistry lab has a slew of equipment for evaluating pollution levels (soil and water, mainly) and general soil chemistry (for evaluating which crops are likely to be successful in a particular field based on its composition and nutrient levels). The professors use this very practical aspect of chemistry to teach many of the underlying concepts of standard and organic chemistry...and it comes in useful later in the coursework when making products (more on that in a minute).
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| Specimens, some of which date to the founding |
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| The proctor's lair |
The third years and later get to start doing ever more complicated (and interesting) work. They use drones to fly over fields and evaluate need for water, fertilizers, and presence of disease or pests on a plant-by-plant basis. They also get to start wine-making and cheese-making! The Agraria wines have recently won an award (as Michael posted separately). Having bought some while there, I can concur that it's delicious!
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| A drone! The box is about 3 feet across. |
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| Wine cellar |
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Preparing new barrels
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Equipment dating to 1500s
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Additional space. Sadly, funding for the new tanks was cut
and they are waiting on a renewal. |
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| Modern architecture... |
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| Staff room...used to be a church |
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| Staff room |
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| Courtyard area |
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| Farmyard. No more animals...but wine! |
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| Animal stalls, currently unused |
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| Greenhouses! |
Oh, and it also happens to be a boarding school for those who live far away. The fees include room and board and tutoring as necessary. Quite amazing! Of course, there is a cafeteria and a bar. Other amenities include a band room, small theatre with stage, outdoor classrooms, and gorgeous grounds.
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Female dormitory
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| Theatre! |
Love,
Alexandra
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| Classroom building |
The chemistry lab has a slew of equipment for evaluating pollution levels (soil and water, mainly) and general soil chemistry (for evaluating which crops are likely to be successful in a particular field based on its composition and nutrient levels). The professors use this very practical aspect of chemistry to teach many of the underlying concepts of standard and organic chemistry...and it comes in useful later in the coursework when making products (more on that in a minute).
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