🌱 MUHK – a fascinating journey into rural life, nature and future technologies
MUHK (Maaelu Uudishimukeskus), or the Estonian Rural Life Discovery Centre, is situated in Ülenurme, not far from Tartu. It is a modern and interactive learning centre where schoolchildren, pre-schoolers and families can explore rural life from the past through to the present and into the future.
Have you ever wondered how food is produced from a tiny seed, how farm animals live, or whether robots will farm the land in the future? MUHK offers the chance to explore these questions through interactive exhibitions, hands-on activities and educational programmes.
The centre was established on the basis of the Estonian Agricultural Museum (Eesti Põllumajandusmuuseum). It preserves our historical heritage whilst paying particular attention to the environment, food production, animal welfare and modern technologies.
MUHK is an excellent choice for a school trip in the Tartu area, combining an educational museum visit with the chance to meet farm animals and take part in a hands-on activity.
🔎 What can you see and experience?
The new permanent exhibition “Milleks mulle muld?! Seemnest saagini, äkkest robotini” (“Why do I need soil?! From seed to harvest, from plough to robot”) introduces visitors to the world of agriculture, food and technology.
Spanning over 600 m², the exhibition allows visitors to discover:
- how soil is formed and what organisms live in it;
- how plants use soil and nutrients;
- how food travels from the field to the shop shelf;
- how satellites, robots and artificial intelligence are used in agriculture;
- what food production solutions might be relevant in the future.
The exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature, the use of resources, sustainable farming and future food security.
‘Laudasümfoonia’ or ‘The Barn Symphony’ is an educational exhibition about the lives, needs and welfare of farm animals.
At MUHK, you can meet real farm animals – goats, ponies, rabbits, sheep and various poultry.
Visitors will learn:
- what the animals’ natural needs are;
- how to feed and care for animals properly;
- how to recognise when an animal is comfortable or stressed;
- the role of farm animals on a farm.
The exhibition is particularly interesting for younger schoolchildren and families, though the topics of animal welfare and responsible farming are also suitable for older pupils.
On the MUHK site, visitors can view historical agricultural equipment, tools and machinery, which illustrate how work in the countryside has changed.
Visitors can compare the methods used in the past with modern agricultural technologies and understand the importance of technological development in food production.
The museum’s open storage area also displays old household items and agricultural tools.
The ‘Sõnnik ja piim’ exhibition introduces visitors to two important resources of rural life – manure and milk.
Visitors learn how soil fertilisation has influenced crop yields and how the development of milk processing has contributed to the growth of Estonia’s agricultural and food industries.
The exhibition helps visitors understand just how closely interlinked livestock farming, crop farming and food production are.
The MUHK’s veterinary medicine exhibition traces the development of animal treatment from ancient folk medicine to modern scientific veterinary medicine.
Meanwhile, in the museum’s open collection, visitors can view objects that reflect the work, household life and way of life of rural people across different eras.
These exhibitions complement guided tours focusing on history and the natural sciences.
MUHK offers museum lessons for various age groups of schoolchildren, combining informative storytelling, practical tasks and hands-on activities.
Examples of programmes:
🐝 “Maagilised mesilased” – Magical Bees
Pupils learn about the life of bees, pollination, the history of beekeeping and bee products. The session features practical and playful activities. It is primarily intended for pupils in Years 4–6.
🐄 “Mitu tõde” – Different Perspectives on Animal Welfare
A programme for pupils in Years 7–9 on animal welfare, food production and sustainability. Pupils discuss the topics, take part in role-play and carry out practical activities with food products.
🍞 “From Grain to Bread” – From grain to bread
Pupils learn about the traditions of
grain farming
and bread-making, historical tools and the process of food production, whilst taking part in hands-on activities.
🥚 “Milleks muna?” – Who needs an egg?
An educational programme about poultry, eggs, their structure and their importance in the human diet.
MUHK also offers other programmes on soil, plants, food, animals and rural traditions.
The choice of programme, age suitability, language of delivery and availability must be agreed in advance with the centre.
Some of the MUHK’s educational programmes can also be organised outside the museum.
One such offer is ‘Muuseum kohvris – Maagilised mesilased’ or ‘The Museum in a Suitcase – Magical Bees’. Museum representatives visit the pupils and lead an exploratory lesson on the world of bees.
⏱️ Duration: 45–60 minutes.
👥 Participants: up to 30 pupils.
💶 Prices: €150 per group, plus transport costs.
The venue, programme and practical arrangements must be agreed in advance with the museum.
💶 Admission and workshop prices
Museum admission tickets
- Adults – €8.
- Pupils and students – €6.
- Family ticket – €16.
- Children under 8 years of age – free admission for standard visits (excluding special events).
Educational programmes
- A wide range of museum workshops for schoolchildren – €8.50 per participant.
- Minimum number of participants – 10.
- Between 10 and 25 participants can take part in a single session.
- For smaller groups, the minimum charge is €85.
- The teacher accompanying the group participates in the programme free of charge.
Guided tour
- In Estonian – €40 per group per hour.
- In English or Russian – €50 per group per hour.
- Groups of up to 25 participants; the price of the museum admission ticket is payable separately.
Guided tours are available in Estonian, English and Russian. The language of the educational programme must be agreed in advance.
Prices may vary for individual workshops and special events. It is advisable to check the current offers and total costs before booking.
📩 Booking tours and workshops
School groups are advised to select a suitable museum workshop and contact MUHK representatives in advance.
When booking, please specify the class or age of the participants, the group size, the chosen programme, the preferred date and the language of the session.
📞 Telephone: +372 5333 4168
✉️ Email: mailtoinfo@memu.ee
🌱 Discover how the past meets the future – from farm animals and historic machinery to robots and the food of the future!
Photo: MUHK – Maaelu Uudishimukeskus archive.