A CONSULT supported the project Joana Vacas Freixa, distinguished as the best young farmer in Europe. The award was presented to November 19, At the 11th edition of the European Congress of Young Farmers, in European Parliament, in Brussels, in the category of Best Society Engagement Project.
The congress is organized by Confederation of Farmers of Portugal, in partnership with the group of European People's Party and a ASAJA from Spain, and gathered hundreds of young farmers.
The path of the award-winning project
Joana Vacas Freixa, 38-year-old , 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 consulting, he decided to apply his knowledge to the modernization and repositioning of the family farm.
She invested in the production of cereals and rice and in the sustainable management of the sheep herd, incorporating innovative practices and technology. More recently, she relaunched the livestock activity with the aim of valorizing the black merino breed, promoting the preservation of native species and strengthening the agricultural identity of the territory. In June, she was recognized as Young Farmer of the Year at the National Agriculture Fair.
The award recognizes the ability to dynamize the rural territory where it was grown and the production practices aligned with the sustainable transition of the sector. It was accompanied by a value of five thousand euros, intended to support the expansion of the farm.
An edition with a record-breaking participation
The congress recorded a record turnout, with 540 young people attending. European Parliament e More than a thousand participants online, which reflects the growing interest of the new generations in the sector.
Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, President of the Cap, He highlighted the resilience of young farmers and emphasized that over eleven years, the congress has managed to mobilize a growing community committed to the future of agriculture.
The Eurodeputado Paulo do Nascimento Cabral He reinforced the strategic importance of the sector for Europe. European security and defense cannot be achieved without putting food on the European table, and that is why agriculture is also a matter of security and defense. European Union, He stated, emphasizing the need to occupy and develop rural territories, to invest in innovation and digitalization, and to strengthen the food distribution chain.
To a CONSULT, This distinction reflects the value of collaborative work that strengthens the sector and enhances the sustainable development of Portuguese rural areas.