In the occasion of the international Local Action Groups (LAG) Forum: Smart Villages for a Green, Digital and Resilient Europe within the framework of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Programme, we have celebrated NEWBIE Award ceramony on September 30, 2021 in Tri lučke, Krško.
NEWBIE Award 2020 winner is Tilen Soklič, farm Pr’ Andreco from Zgornje Gorje. He is a complete newcomer and a start-up-farmer in vegetable (asparagues), black- and redcurrant production and processing. With persistence and step-by-step approach, he has developed a new farm business and paved a way towards a full-time professional farmer career in just a few years. More about Tilen and his farm in the video: https://youtu.be/ExtwD_LZj7s .
The event was co-organised by the Slovenian Rural Development Network with partners LAG Posavje and the Municipality of Krško, the European LEADER Association for Rural Development, LEADER Network Croatia, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and the Slovenian National Rural Network. Tilen was awarded by State Secretary Andrej Harej at Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Republic of Slovenia. The jury belives that Tilen’s story and his step-by-step approach can be inspiring for other newcomers in agriculture and small farmers in Slovenia.
After the completion of the NEWBIE project we strive to continue awarding the prize for new entrants by merging with the existing IMK award (Innovative Young Farmer Award) and introducing various categories, in cooperation with the Rural Network, Association of Slovene Rural Youth and Slovenian Agricultural Advisory Service.
Left to right: Sara (UL), Tilen and his wife, Barbara (UL) and Irma (UL)
