CONSULAI attended the 11th edition of the European Congress of Young Farmers, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on 19 November, which brought together hundreds of young farmers.

During the event, Joana Vacas Freixa was awarded the prize for Best Young Farmer in Europe, in the category “Best Society Engagement Project”, with a project supported by CONSULAI.

The European Congress of Young Farmers is an initiative organised by the Portuguese Farmers’ Confederation (CAP), in partnership with the European People’s Party Group and Spain’s ASAJA.

The ceremony once again highlighted agricultural projects that stand out for their innovation, sustainability and social impact. Joana Vacas Freixa received recognition for her ability to energise the rural territory where she grew up, reinforcing production practices aligned with the sector’s sustainable transition. The award was accompanied by a financial prize of five thousand euros to support the expansion of her farm.

Joana, aged 38, grew up in a family with a long agricultural tradition in the region of Alcácer do Sal. With a degree in Business Management and more than a decade of experience in consultancy, she decided to channel her knowledge into modernising and repositioning the family farm. She has invested in cereal and rice production and in the sustainable management of cork oak montado, incorporating innovative practices and technology. More recently, she relaunched livestock production with the aim of promoting the merino preto breed, contributing to the preservation of native species and strengthening the agricultural identity of the territory. In June this year, she had already been recognised as Young Farmer of the Year at the National Agriculture Fair.

The European Congress of Young Farmers, held this Wednesday, once again affirmed itself as a central forum for debate and for projecting the future of agriculture. This year’s edition recorded a record level of participation, with 540 young farmers present at the European Parliament and more than 1,000 participants online, reflecting the growing interest of younger generations in the sector.

During the session, Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, President of CAP, highlighted “the resilience of young farmers”, noting that, over 11 years, the congress has succeeded in mobilising a growing community of young people committed to the future of agriculture.

MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral reinforced the strategic importance of the agricultural sector for Europe, stating that “European security and defence cannot be achieved without putting food on Europeans’ tables, which is why agriculture is also part of the European Union’s security and defence.” He also stressed the need to revitalise and develop rural areas, invest in innovation and digitalisation, and strengthen the entire food distribution chain, noting that ReFarm Europe will guide the vision for the future of the agricultural sector in Europe.

The distinction awarded to Joana Vacas Freixa at the 11th edition of the European Congress of Young Farmers highlights a new generation of farmers who combine tradition, innovation and strategic vision. For CONSULAI, this achievement also reflects the value of collaborative work that strengthens the sector and promotes the sustainable development of Portugal’s rural regions — “We want to continue creating value in our clients’ businesses.”