Nature-friendly farming at the forefront
The Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project is celebrating another significant professional achievement: at the 82nd National Agriculture and Food Exhibition and Fair (OMÉK), one of the project’s demonstration sites, the Horhos Valley Eco-Farm, won the Young Agricultural Professional Grand Prize.
This prestigious recognition not only honours the outstanding professional work and achievements of the farm, but also reinforces the overarching message of the project: the future of agriculture lies in nature-based, sustainable solutions.
Located in Tardona, at the foothills of the Bükk Mountains, the Horhos Valley Eco-Farm’s entire area forms part of the Natura 2000 network. According to farmer Dániel Kaczkó and his wife Anna, agricultural production and nature conservation are not opposing forces, but rather mutually reinforcing elements. Their farm exemplifies this philosophy through free-range, organic livestock farming practices, regenerative grassland management, a strong commitment to preserving natural habitats, and the conservation of a rare and lesser-known indigenous breed – the Carpathian Brown (Kárpáti Borzderes). Last year, the farm was selected for the model farms of the Grassland Project, as their work showcases practical methods for conserving the biodiversity of Hungary’s grasslands.
This marks the second consecutive year that a Grassland Model Farm has received the OMÉK Young Farmer Grand Prize. In 2023, the same honor was awarded to András Szunyogh, a farmerinvolved in the DEDES project, who also represents nature-based grassland farming at an exemplary high professional level. This dual achievement provides clear evidence that the farming philosophy and applied knowledge promoted by the Grassland Project represent the forefront of Hungarian agriculture.
It is becoming increasingly evident that long-term agricultural success can only be achieved through nature-aligned solutions. The latest OMÉK award sends a powerful message: the new generation of farmers is increasingly aware/recognising that the challenges of climate change can only be addressed through approaches that work in harmony with nature.
The success of the Horhos Valley Eco-Farm serves as inspiration for those who already follow similar practice or are considering transitioning to similar approaches. It demonstrates that responsible, nature-based farming is not only a value-driven choice but also an economically viable and sustainable path in the long run.
It reaffirms that the Grassland Project not only provides a model for environmentally friendly farming, but also offers a tangible and realistic alternative for addressing climate challenges within the agricultural sector.
Source: The Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture
Photo: Magyar Mezőgazdaság