In the heart of western Latvia, Dace Meldere is redefining what it means to farm responsibly. Her organic cattle farm, Kolumbi, located in Kuldīga, has grown from a bold idea into a national benchmark for sustainable agriculture – earning her the WWF Baltic Sea Farmer Award 2025 for Latvia.
When Dace started Kolumbi 13 years ago, Latvia lacked examples of high-welfare, nutrient-efficient beef farms. Instead of following conventional practices, she sought knowledge abroad and returned with a bold vision: to build a farm that protects nature while producing high-quality food. What began with 10 cows and a very difficult first winter has grown into a 600-hectare organic operation.
“I told my husband, either we go all in, or we don’t do it at all,” Dace recalls. That determination shaped every step in Kolumbi’s journey. Today, Kolumbi is recognized for its innovative approach to nutrient management, biodiversity, and circular approach – from growing feed on-site, to processing and selling meat directly to consumers.
Soil first
At Kolumbi, every farming decision is guided by the principle that “anything taken from nature must be returned.” Soil health is the foundation of the farm’s strategy. Soil and crop analyses inform fertilization and crop rotation strategies, while precision agriculture ensures nutrients are applied only where needed. Manure from the farm’s 500 cattle is stored and applied based on timing and need, and rainwater is harvested to create slurry – eliminating the need for freshwater. These practices help close the nutrient loop and significantly reduce nutrient runoff into nearby waterways, easing pressure on the Baltic Sea.
Permanent grasslands help maintain soil health and support native biodiversity, while buffer zones and catch crops are used not only near water bodies but also as ecological barriers between Kolumbi and neighboring conventional farms. “We even leave wider strips than required,” Dace explains. “It’s about protecting what we rely on.” The farm is certified organic and avoids pesticides entirely.
A farm that opens doors
Dace Meldere is not only a farmer but also a changemaker. Kolumbi regularly hosts visitors, from schoolchildren to policymakers to fellow farmers, and the farm now serves as a demonstration site for the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre. “We want people to see that these practices work—not just in theory, but here, in real life.” Dace actively promotes systemic change, including efforts to bring local, organic food into school procurement systems.
Despite resistance from traditional agricultural groups, Dace continues to advocate for a more sustainable future – proving that large-scale, organic beef farming can be both environmentally sound and economically successful. Her story challenges the idea that organic farming must be small or financially fragile. “We’re productive. We’re profitable. And we’re doing things in harmony with nature,” she says. Her message to other farmers is clear: sustainability isn’t a compromise – it’s a smart, resilient way forward.
FARM FACTS
Location: Kolumbi, Kuldīga municipality, Latvia
Type of Farm: Crop and cattle farm (600 ha)
Main production: Cows grazing, feed production - oats, corn, wheat, pasture, alfalfa.
Key practices: Maintain year-round plant cover, Protect soil structure from compaction, Use catch crops or intercrops, Add organic matter to the soil, Maintain buffer zones along waterbodies, Practice water management, Use nutrient balance and practice balanced fertilization, Apply fertilizers at the correct time and right conditions, Use careful manure application techniques, Use manure in plant production, Practice precision farming equipment or techniques, Implement practices for nutrient recycling at the farm.
Jury Motivation: "In selecting Dace Meldere as Latvia’s national winner, the jury recognizes her as an environmental steward, agricultural innovator, and powerful role model. Her achievements show that large-scale, organic beef farming can not only coexist with high environmental standards, but also perform just as well as conventional models. Her commitment to nutrient efficiency, biodiversity, and climate-conscious practices significantly reduces pressures on the Baltic Sea – and her openness to sharing knowledge makes her a beacon of change for the entire region." (Read more)
OPINION
Dace Meldere on the future of farming
Q: What advice do you have for other farmers who want to get started reducing nutrient run-off and farming more sustainably?
A: Learn and get started. It is a good time to become an organic farmer. Demand for these products is going up, and the young people understand now more than ever before the importance of organic farming. I think they need to explore the potential of the added value of organic products, not just producing the raw products but making something out of them.
Q: What are the greatest benefits/opportunities in farming today and in the future?
A: I don’t think farming will get easier in the future, so in a way, today is the best time to do it. But I do think that people’s mentality is beginning to change for the better. I can see it from the consumer habits and the people around me. Like I said before, the demand for our products and other organic products is going up every year. That’s a great sign and an opportunity.
Q: What kind of support and encouragement do farmers in your region need to adopt and maintain more sustainable practices?
A: wareness raising and knowledge are important. But we also need to be more inclusive. The environment around should not pit us against each other but foster an environment where we thrive together. That’s why we try to be such an open farm, we want to show others the best practices, show that these things work also in real life, not just in books or in other countries, and that they too, could use them.