How do nominees become ambassadors for biodiversity

Farmers are nominated who

• make a significant contribution to the conservation and promotion of biodiversity on their farm and beyond.

• practise sustainable, future-proof agriculture.

• have internalised the connections between biodiversity, agriculture and farming methods.

• are happy to share their knowledge of biodiversity-promoting measures with others.

Expert individuals or representatives of various organisations working at the interface between biodiversity and agriculture can nominate farmers. The nominators have extensive experience and practical insights into sustainable agriculture.

Would you like to become part of the nominator network? Then send us an email to info_at_farmingfornature.at

The suske consulting project team conducts in-depth interviews with all nominated farmers. The focus is on the type and extent of biodiversity-promoting measures that the farmers implement on their farms. In addition, the farmers' personal motivation for their commitment to biodiversity is also explored.

Based on these interviews, a shortlist of nominated farms is preselected and submitted to a jury of seven experts. In an initial meeting, the jury members decide which farms will be shortlisted and visited by one or two jury members on the farm. Based on the personal impressions gathered during the farm visits, the ambassadors for biodiversity are selected in a second jury meeting.

To select an ambassador, the jury takes into account the personal commitment to biodiversity on and around their own farm as well as the role of nature in the farm concept and in the management of their own land. The farmers' inter-farm commitment is also of interest. Last but not least, it is also about the willingness to be actively involved as a biodiversity ambassador and to share one's own story. In order to achieve the broadest possible impact, attention is also paid to a balanced, nation-wide distribution of farms as well as diversity in farm structures and focal points.

Biodiversity ambassadors are committed to preserving and promoting biodiversity on their farm and in their neighbourhood. They share their knowledge and enjoyment of nature and promote and support the ‘Farming for Nature’ initiative. As part of farm walks and kitchen table discussions, they offer farmers and other interested parties the opportunity to learn more about biodiversity-promoting farming and exchange experiences.