
FAMIGRO - An Award for Rural Entrepreneurship
The GROTENFELT family represents more than 350 years of diversified landowning in Finland. Famigro was founded by Karl GROTENFELT in 1985, a private company belonging to the family. In 2013, Karl created the Famigro Award, which is granted annually to a young (18 to 40) European countryside entrepreneur who has been making a special contribution to the rural economy, community and environment. Thanks to the initiative of Karl GROTENFELT, each year the YFCS can support an innovative project that has been operational for at least 2 years and provides answers to the current challenges of the rural sector.
Entrepreneurial projects contribute to the evolution of our rural countryside, while the respect of the environment and social responsibility are endorsed by each rural entrepreneur. The Famigro Award aims to improve the project’s success and growth by benefiting from the support of the network of the Friends of the Countryside (FCS) and Young Friends of the Countryside (YFCS), as well as the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO).
We are proud to announce that ZukunftMoor, a pioneering company based in Lower Saxony, has won the FAMIGRO Award 2025. Received by Paul Waldersee at the gala evening at the Opera on June 13, the award honours an innovative approach to peatland management – vital for climate protection and the future of rural landscapes.
In Germany, around 95% of peatlands have been drained, releasing vast amounts of carbon. These areas account for 7.5% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions – about 53 million tonnes annually. To meet the Paris climate goals, Germany would need to rewet over 50,000 hectares per year. This is precisely where ZukunftMoor steps in.
The company rewets drained peatlands and cultivates sphagnum moss, a native plant, on the restored land. This method, known as paludiculture, demonstrates that wet, peat-conserving agriculture can be both environmentally and economically viable – especially since farmers manage nearly 80% of these drained lands.
ZukunftMoor’s first sphagnum farm in Gnarrenburg spans 13.4 hectares, making it the largest in the world. By dismantling drainage systems and restoring water levels, the company has transformed intensively used pastures into climate-positive wetlands – preventing about 440 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually on this pilot site alone.
Sphagnum is the only crop in Europe capable of replacing peat in horticultural substrates, offering a sustainable alternative to a material with a heavy climate footprint. ZukunftMoor’s production contributes to climate-friendly growing media, while also restoring critical habitats, improving water retention, and offering natural protection against droughts and floods.
Looking ahead, ZukunftMoor aims to scale this model to 10,000 hectares in partnership with other farms – driving long-term structural change in peatland agriculture and delivering lasting benefits for the climate, biodiversity, and local economies.



Our applicants and winners in recent years come from a wide range of industries and countries who have achieved great innovations with their unique ideas. From an innovative bio-based soil additive to rebranding a family estate, to a Regenerative Farming community in Spain and more.
Previous winners include: Silvibio, Gut Waltersteig, La Junquera, Coconat, Coucoo, Wildernest Tiny House and Wignac Cidre.

Criteria
Aged 18 to 40.
European entrepreneur.
Innovative rural project that has been operational for at least 2 years.
Deadline
The 2025 edition is now closedContact
info@yfcs.euPrevious winners
2025 | Winner | ZukunftMoor | Link |
2023 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | We Wilder - Oana Mondoc | Link |
2022 | Winner | Junquera Gut Waltersteig GbR Karl-Ludwig von Poschinger | Link |
2022 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Johan Ljungquist & Mikael Olenmark Gårdsfisk Scandinavian Aquasystems AB | Link |
2021 | Winner | La Junquera Regenerative Farm and Entrepreneurship HUB | Link |
2021 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Flourish Produce | Link |
2021 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Gut Waltersteig GbR | Link |
2021 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | In Ovo | Link |
2021 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | LettUs Grow | Link |
2020 | Winner | Coconat | Link |
2020 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Domaine Le Grand Castelet | Link |
2020 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Flourish Produce | Link |
2020 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Lynbreck Croft | Link |
2020 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Vanhakylä gård | Link |
2019 | No winner | ||
2019 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Baron Island Falconry Experience | Link |
2019 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Finca Rincón del Rosario | |
2019 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | Fumal | |
2019 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | SeedForward GmbH | Link |
2019 | Diploma for Outstanding Developments | SIRPLUS GmbH | Link |
2018 | Winner | Coucoo | Link |
2017 | Winner | Wildernest Tiny House | Link |
2016 | Winner | Wignac Cidre Naturel | Link |