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The selection process for our 2024 Biodiversity Ambassadors began in autumn 2023.

25 farmers were nominated across Austria. They are all committed to promoting biodiversity on their own farms and beyond with innovative ideas. All nominated farmers go through a multi-stage selection process, because in the end only five of them will be named Biodiversity Ambassadors 2024 by a knowledgeable jury of experts.

During the first jury meeting, 9 of the 25 nominated farmers were shortlisted and were visited by one or two jury members on their farms in March 2024.

Hildegard Burtscher from Vorarlberg manages a 40 ha grassland farm with dairy farming at 900 m above sea level.

Silvia Fruhmann from Burgenland runs a 25-hectare farm, which includes 15 hectares of arable land and 10 hectares of forest, with particular emphasis on the 2-hectare vegetable cultivation.

Otto Knaus from Styria manages a 12 hectare winery in southern Styria and runs a Buschenschank (vineyard).

Jakob Mayer from Lower Austria cultivates 18 hectares of orchards, with the company's main focus being on extensive fruit production, processing and direct marketing.

Jeanette Mayrhofer from Upper Austria manages a 10 hectare grassland farm, which is home to highland cattle, grazing geese and fattening pigs.

Angelina Pucher from Carinthia manages a 5 hectare ark farm with an overall nature conservation plan.

Armin Rauch from Vorarlberg runs an extensive mountain farm with a focus on cattle breeding, vegetable cultivation including many specialty varieties and the rearing of seedlings.

Johann Schauer from Upper Austria runs a 70 hectare cattle fattening farm, where he grows food grains and alternative crops in addition to feed for the cattle.

Alexander Steindl from Lower Austria keeps different breeds of livestock in free-range conditions on his farm, and he also started agroforestry in 2020.

Are you curious to find out which of the nine farmers will become the Ambassador for Biodiversity in 2024? Then you just have to be patient - the ambassadors will be announced at an awards ceremony in mid-April.

You will soon find more information on our homepage. So check the website soon!