Oportunities for the natural and cultural heritage conservation in Surdesti Village, Maramures County

The present paper presents the results of the research started in the frame of the project called „Dig Where You Live” (2005-2007). It has been developed as a partnership between The Social-Cultural Foundation for Democracy „I.U.G.A.”, the Sisesti Guildhall and North University of Baia Mare. The data required by the "Questionnaire Sheet" provided information on the area of land that belongs to the villagers, the land use, the most used fertilizers, the agricultural machineries that are owned by the local farmers, the animals that provide for the farms, the storages and use of households waste, the tenacity of their house and annexes, crafts that they still practice, local farming habits etc. Each year the starting of the plough and the ritual of the tilling of the soil in Surdesti marks the beginning of a new phase in the rural agrarian cycle. Old farmers remember that before collectivization, the hayfields were often fertilized by using the mobile fold technique. Factual material that was discovered in Surdesti village points that the agriculture that is practiced here is not intended primarily to cope with competitive pressure and market force in the European Union. In terms of environmental factors, soil tests, water courses and underground water tests show that Surdesti village is an unpolluted area, suitable for ecological agriculture and eco-tourism. Nowadays, farmers need agricultural practice and good examples of correct and timely information.