The Woman Farmer of the Year event is part of the International Day of Rural Women. “Being a farmer is the most versatile profession,” emphasized Irena Ule, the president of the Association of Female Farmers of Slovenia, and she is proud of Slovenian farmers, who are connecting members of the Slovenian countryside and, unfortunately, often overlooked.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Aleksandra Pivec is aware of many challenges Slovenian agriculture is facing and she also stressed the important role Slovenian farmers have: ”It is becoming quite clear that female farmers are actually the initiator with their active role in farmer society. Education and continuous professional training are crucial to expressing your own initiative and becoming the creators of new ideas and changes.”

And one of the most urgent changes is improving the social position of the farmers. “It is necessary to consider and use the available experience of the systems, agri-social insurance from the European Union Member States, which must contribute to the improvement of the female farmer’s social position in both Slovenian and European agriculture.”

Marija Jakše is woman farmer of the year and she is very active on her farm and also in her hometown. “I do this with pleasure,” said the winner of the title. She also received more than 70 awards for culinary delights from her own wood-fired oven.