Women in Ag Awards International 2022
Initiated by "Women in Ag magazine” in cooperation with EuroTier, the new award ‘Women in Ag Awards International’premiering at EuroTier honors inspiring women in international agriculture.
The winner is Diana Dykun, agrarian expert and manager of SAVE UA, Ukraine. The runners-up are Frederike Schierholz, egg farmer, Germany, followed by Lucie Mainard, poultry farmer, France. The awards were presented by Freya von Czettritz, CEO, DLG Holding
The idea for the Women in Ag Awards International was born from the collaboration of Women in Ag Magazine and EuroTier organizer DLG.
Over 60 nominations were received with candidates hailing from Europe, the United States as well as Africa. The candidates were engaged in a wide variety of agricultural fields and professions from practical dairy farmers, poultry farmers to researchers and agronomists. From a shortlist of 15 profiles, the international jury, composed of women from Europe, the US and Zambia, selected the three finalists.
Applying criteria such as innovative work approaches, overall presentation of the work and the impact on the local and global agricultural community, the jury members attributed points to the different profiles on the shortlist, and the combined points resulted in a winner, a first and second runner-up.
The award ceremony with the announcement of the finalists were held on 16 November at EuroTier, Hall 26 at DLG’s international stage. The award ceremony was presided by Women in Ag mag editor-in-chief Kim Schoukens, who announced the winner and the runners-up. Ines Rathke, Project Manager of EuroTier, presented DLG’s initiative for the new award scheme. Freya von Czettritz, CEO of DLG Holding, together with Hella Otten heading the German network for women in the industry Women in Agribusiness, presented the awards to the three laureates.
Winner: Diana Dykun, Ukraine
The winner of the Women in Ag Awards International 2022 was Ukrainian agronomist Diana Dykun, who runs Save UA, a non-profit charity that supports agricultural producers from the de-occupied territories. “Humanity, consistency, tenacity and determination” were words the jury used to describe Diana Dykun. Her impact on the local farming community is enormous and her work is particularly challenging given the current situation of her region. Due to commitments in Ukraine, Diana could not be present at the ceremony. Hanna Lavreniuk, who also works for the organization, received the award on Diana’s behalf. More information about Diana’s charity Save UA can be found on the website.
First runner-up: Friederike Schierholz, Germany
The first runner-up was Friederike Schierholz from the Schierholz farm, Lower Saxony, Germany. She scored high points through her regenerative approach on her farm, which includes no-till farming and as well as hens kept in mobile housings for the regeneration of soil. The overall presentation of her farm on social media and the openness with which she presented her work were factors contributing to the jury’s choice as first runner-up. More information about Friederike’s farm can be found on her website.
Second runner-up: Lucie Mainard, France
The second runner-up was French organic egg farmer, Lucie Mainard, who runs the egg farm “Les Jolies Rousses” in the Vendée region in France. Lucie impressed the jury with her implementation of sustainability on the farm as well as her approach in adversity. Launching the farm in 2019, Lucie has had to overcome several challenges, which so far have included the pandemic, the bird flu in France as well as several heatwaves in one season through which she has consistently shown resilience, strength and positivity.
As Lucie was not able to make it to the ceremony, the award was presented to French agricultural journalist Mathilde Brion. Lucie’s full story is available in the October edition of Women in ag magazine.
