Hanover, Germany – November 2025
Today, Swedish dairy farmers Mathias, Henrik, and Gabriel Jonsson from Västervik have been awarded the regional WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award, recognizing them as the most innovative and environmentally impactful farmers across five participating countries: Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, and Germany.
The Jonsson brothers, who operate Ogestad Estate and Hyllela Farm, have transformed traditional large-scale dairy farming through a series of cutting-edge innovations aimed at protecting the Baltic Sea and reducing their own environmental footprint. Their farms integrate advanced sustainability measures, including:
- Eleven constructed wetlands and over two kilometers of two-stage ditches that naturally reduces nutrient runoff and support biodiversity.
- Year-round green cover on nearly all fields to prevent soil erosion and nutrient leaching.
- Testing novel methods, such as biochar filter ditches, for improving water quality.
- Nitrogen-fixing plants and bacteria that reduce the need for mineral fertilizers.
- Irrigation using nutrient-rich bottom water from a nearby eutrophic bay – a unique circular solution that repurposes nutrients in the water for crop production, reducing fertilizer use and nutrient concentrations in the bay.
The annual recirculation of 100,000 cubic meters of nutrient-rich water means that more than 1,000kg of nitrogen and 100kg of phosphorous are pumped from the bay per year. This innovative approach not only fertilizes and waters 350 hectares of farmland, but it also helps to clean the bay’s waters and increases oxygen levels, serving as an inspiration for other farms near the sea, particularly large ones, in how to be environmentally responsible.
These innovations helped secure the Jonsson brothers’ the regional prize, particularly the irrigation project that was created in collaboration with researchers, local authorities and other community actors. Central to this success was the support of the municipally employed catchment officer, whose coordination and on-the-ground guidance were instrumental. The brothers have said they couldn’t have achieved these results without this support.
“It feels really fun and inspiring. We, as large companies, have a responsibility to lead the way and show the path, but even when small companies take action, it means a lot,” says Mathias Jonsson during the award ceremony held at the Agritechnica trade fair in Hanover, Germany.
"The Jonsson brothers represent the kind of innovative, sustainable farming needed across the Baltic Sea region. Their science-based approach to reducing nutrient runoff – developed with their catchment officer – proves that large-scale agriculture can be both productive and Baltic-friendly. This award celebrates their achievements and highlights how catchment officer collaborations are vital to scaling practical solutions that benefit farmers and the Baltic Sea." – Johanna Fox, Director, WWF Baltic Sea Programme
In addition to their technical achievements, the Jonssons actively collaborate with local high-school, Gamlebygymnasiet, mentoring future farmers and sharing knowledge on sustainable practices.
WWF’s Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award honours farmers who lead the way in combating eutrophication and promoting healthier marine ecosystems. The Jonsson brothers’ regional win highlights Sweden’s role in driving agricultural innovation and environmental stewardship.
The role of catchment officers
Catchment officers are experts who coordinate restoration efforts and other environmental measures across catchment areas. This role helps bridge stakeholders like landowners, municipalities, and environmental agencies, helping identify and implement practical solutions for land and water management. They provide support, knowledge, and motivation to landowners, helping ensure effective, on-the-ground solutions.
About the WWF Baltic Sea Farmer Award
Launched in 2009, the WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award highlights best practices and recognizes farmers who are leading efforts to reduce nutrient runoff and protect the Baltic Sea. So far, around 80 farmers have been awarded for their innovative and sustainable approaches.
Each year, farmers from Baltic Sea countries are invited to apply. This year farmers from Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Poland and Sweden participated. The award is open to both organic and conventional farmers across various agricultural sectors. National juries select winners in each country, who receive a prize of €1,000. From these, an international jury chooses one regional winner, awarded €10,000 and the title of WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year.
Beyond the competition, winners serve as ambassadors for sustainable farming, sharing their experiences to inspire others. Their efforts contribute to reducing eutrophication, improving soil and water health, and promoting biodiversity – key steps toward a healthier Baltic Sea.