2021

DRAFT VERSION HIDE Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year award Winner

Our winners

Among the winners this year, the national winner from Denmark have been selected as the overall winner in the region. Danish farmers Kristian and Maria Lundgaard-Karlshøj were presented with the WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award 25 September at a ceremony in Warsaw, Poland. The international jury is impressed by the diverse range of measures employed at the large-scale farm to reduce nutrient runoff, as well as by the farmers’ dedication to pursuing new strategies for sustainable and future-proof agriculture.

WE NEED TO SHOW THAT WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION AND THAT WE ARE WILLING TO STEP INTO THE BIG WORK OF CONFRONTING THE PROBLEMS.

Location: Hjerm in northwest Denmark

Type of farm: Conventional livestock and organic crop farm (850 ha)

Main production: Broiler chickens, welfare pigs, mealworms, horse beans, rapeseed, grasses and cereals, biogas, energy from wind turbines.

International jury motivation: “Kristian and Maria want their farm to be sustainable and future-proof, and for this reason they work in all fields of environment, including climate, energy and nutrient management. They show that large-scale farming can also be sustainable through diversification, modernization, and technology. Organic crop production, animal husbandry, biogas plant for processing all agricultural residues, forestry, green energy, and engaging with the consumers all contribute to bridging the gap between agricultural business and nature conservation. The jury also acknowledges and applauds the forward momentum and continuous development of the farm, including future plans to switch to free-range chicken production, participation in research projects, and the construction of a wetland”. Key practices: Agricultural residue processed in biogas plant, buffer zones, catch crops, constructed catchment ponds, cover crops, crop rotation, fertiliser accounting and nutrient management plans, preservation of forest and other natural elements, processing of all agricultural residues in biogas plant.

What does it take to be a winning farm?

Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea has been going on for decades and, according to one recent study, the levels of hypoxia we see in coastal waters today are unprecedented over the last 1,500 years. As a semi-enclosed, intercontinental shelf sea, the Baltic Sea is particularly sensitive to the effects of nutrient runoff. An excess of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, leads to a severe disruption of the ecosystem, with effects including extensive algal blooms, lack of oxygen in deep waters, and an increase of bottom areas with little or no oxygen – so-called ‘dead zones.’

The good news is that many of the worst point sources of pollution have already been addressed and significant gains have been made, including by improving wastewater treatment facilities and addressing industry runoff. However, agricultural activities continue to be a major source of nutrients.

Many farmers are prepared to go the extra mile to help save the Baltic Sea. The winners of the Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award have all taken measures on their own initiative to reduce nutrient runoff. With this award, WWF aims to highlight how important this work is and showcase good examples across the region.

The WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award was first introduced in 2009 as a way to inspire farmers and decision-makers in the agricultural sector. Juries select a national winner of the Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award from 11 countries in the Baltic Sea catchment area. The winners all receive a certificate and a nominal monetary award of 1,000 Euros. The eleven national winners will serve as the nominees from which the international jury will select one main regional winner – to be the 2020 Regional Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year and receive 10,000 Euros.

Last modified 16/02/21

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