Ask anyone to describe Vysočina and you can be certain you will hear words like “forests”, “fields”, “meadows”, and “fish ponds”. That is, namely, what Vysočina is about – in short, it is about agriculture, forestry, and hydrology, the most important facets of the Region.

In 2006, a number of interesting and unique occurrences happened in the Region. I randomly recall the Potato Days in Havlíčkův Brod, Exposition of Bohemian Red-spotted Cattle in Radešínská Svratka, extensive preventive measures against the avian flu, or the Organic Food Month in September. In cooperation with a private farm that promoted milk from Vysočina, we organized an arts and crafts contest for schools. Systematically and persistently, we support small breeders, their expositions, and especially their work with students.

In my opinion, namely, every inhabitant of Vysočina is a countryman in the best sense of the word. Every one of us knows what it is like to have dirty hands from the soil and a red neck from the scorching sun. Every one of us knows how important integrity and reciprocity is in the country. They are part of our Region and we have the right to be proud of it. Our children grow up amidst the examples of raw life – maybe it is not a very sterile environment, sometimes it kicks or bites, but it is life in its purest form, a healthy and natural life.

Vysočina is also a region that provides virtually a half of the Czech Republic with drinking water. Taking care of our water resources is therefore another very important task we attend to with particular dedication. In 2006, we completed a major repair of the Mostiště Dam’s dike that was in danger of breaking. The repair was to become a unique masterpiece of civil engineering. With the exceptionally huge spring thaw and heavy summer rainstorms safely behind us, we now know it was work well done. New wastewater purification plants have popped up all over the Region – they help keep our rivers, creeks, and springs as clean as we all, the citizens and the loving and enthralled visitors of Vysočina, want them to be.

Ivo Rohovský

Regional Councillor for Agriculture and Water Management