Eutrophication or nutrient overload is the single largest environmental problem in the Baltic Sea. Agricultural runoff is the main cause. A major solution to the problem is to be found in the promotion of more sustainable farming and land management practices. The WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award competition highlights the important role that farmers play in protecting the Baltic Sea and illustrates impressive examples of how farmers are taking innovative approaches and moving towards a more Baltic-friendly farming.
This year’s award-winning farmers have applied a wide spectrum of solutions to achieve sustainable farming practices. These farmers are making a positive impact in the Baltic Sea region and their good examples can be used by other farmers who also aim to stop eutrophication and contribute to a healthy Baltic Sea.
This year the competition has been held in 8 countries; Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. A national award has been presented to one winning farmer in each of the participating countries and an international jury has selected the regional winner.
This year’s regional winner, Mr. Marian Rak from Poland, has been awarded the Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award 2011 for his “strong commitment to environmental protection and for demonstrating how a successful progressive conventional farm can simultaneously reduce nutrient losses while enhancing biological and landscape biodiversity.”
Download the Competition Recap below to meet this year’s winning farmers.