Today the European Commission announced the list of finalists for the first ever annual EU organic awards. The awards were launched as part of a commitment made in the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production with the objective of recognising excellence all along the organic food chain, from farmer to restaurant. The aim of the awards is to reward the best and most innovative organic actors who contribute to reducing the agriculture’s impact on the climate and environment.
As a partner organisation, Copa and Cogeca have this year overseen the application and selection process for the category Best Organic Farmer – female. With 37 applications from 12 Member States, there was a great pool of interesting and innovative projects showcasing the active involvement and innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of women farmers in the sector.
The selection has been very difficult due to the very interesting and innovative projects received. Below are the three finalists for the Best Organic Farmer – female: choosing the 3 finalists was no easy task but these were the organic female farmers that made it to the top, based on their projects and presentation:
1. Katharina Lichtmannsperger (VLG Obervetterbachgut) – Thalgau bei Salzburg, Austria
Katarina runs a dairy farm with an important focus on lowering its environmental impact and maintaining a strong and deep connection with the local community and society. She produces her own inputs in addition to creating synergies with the forest she owns and manages. She runs educational programs with schools and supports the tourism in her area and is very active in the promotion of the participation of jury women in organic agriculture.
2. Nazaret Mateos Álvarez (Entresetas) – Paredes de Nava, Palencia, Spain
Nazaret is a young rural entrepreneur and farmer. She runs Entresetas, a small rural company dedicated to the cultivation and commercialisation of organic gourmet mushrooms. In her production she follows closely the circular economy principle and focuses on low input consumption. She focuses on creating synergies between forest and agriculture: exploiting at best the inputs already present in the forest. In addition, Nazaret collaborates with schools on environmental education to students, as well as mycology programmes that connect children and the older generations through workshops.
3. Sara Vezza (Azienda Agricola Sara Vezza) – Località Castelletto, Monforte d’Alba, Piemonte, Italy
Sara is a passionate organic winemaker working in close synergy with the environment, focusing on biodiversity enhancement thought her vineyard and forest management. Her project has a strong sustainability drive, in all three pillars. She focuses on three main elements: tradition, and with the territory and respect for the environment. Her sustainable production aims to reduce the environmental impact at 360 degrees, especially in terms of energy. In addition, she offers educational programs for tourists and is actively involved in educational school programs. The winner of best organic farmer – female as well as those in the other 7 categories will be selected by a jury, made up of the representatives of all partners in this award: the European Commission, the European P arliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM EU. The winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony in Brussels on 23 September, on the occasion of the EU organic day.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.
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