The 12th Panhellenic Congress of the Hellenic Rangeland Society, entitled “Climate Crisis and the Development of Rangelands – Livestock Farming”, took place at the facilities of the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design of the University of Thessaly in Karditsa from May 7 to 9, 2025.
During the congress, oral presentations and poster sessions highlighted key issues and challenges facing modern rangeland management in Greece and internationally. A common conclusion was that the implementation of Grazing Management Plans is an urgent necessity for the Greek countryside, contributing to the protective role of rangelands in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change.
The congress concluded with an unforgettable excursion to the mountainous Municipality of Argithea on Friday, May 9, 2025. Over 100 participants explored the Agrafa rangeland landscape and visited the traditional dairy “Oroseira Agrafon”, the Monastery of Panagia Spilias, Lake Stefanias, and finally Aetochori, where they toured a small-scale short-horned cattle breeding unit and enjoyed both traditional and innovative local delicacies.
Special thanks were extended to all the organizers of the excursion, which, according to the residents of Aetochori, was the first educational visit in the history of their village.
The Mayor of Argithea, Mr. Andreas Stergiou, explained to the participants the challenges faced by the entirely mountainous municipality, while his dedicated team, led by Deputy Mayors Mr. Nikolaos Sakkas and Mr. Charalampos Poulio, contributed significantly to covering the costs of the excursion and the transportation of attendees.
Abbot Nektarios warmly welcomed the participants and spoke about the remarkable history and current operations of the Monastery of Panagia Spilias. Mr. Dimitris Kissas guided the visitors through the traditional dairy, explaining the challenges of linking primary and secondary production in Argithea.
Finally, producer Mr. Achilleas Tsaprails welcomed attendees to his breeding unit, described the specificities and challenges of extensive livestock farming in Greece’s mountainous regions, and contributed to the meal offered by the Municipality of Argithea in the courtyard of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.
