famigrologo

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 closed

Contact

info@yfcs.eu

Previous winners

2025WinnerZukunftMoorLink
2023Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsWe Wilder - Oana MondocLink
2022WinnerJunquera Gut Waltersteig GbR Karl-Ludwig von PoschingerLink
2022Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsJohan Ljungquist & Mikael Olenmark Gårdsfisk Scandinavian Aquasystems ABLink
2021WinnerLa Junquera Regenerative Farm and Entrepreneurship HUBLink
2021Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsFlourish ProduceLink
2021Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsGut Waltersteig GbRLink
2021Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsIn OvoLink
2021Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsLettUs GrowLink
2020WinnerCoconatLink
2020Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsDomaine Le Grand CasteletLink
2020Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsFlourish ProduceLink
2020Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsLynbreck CroftLink
2020Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsVanhakylä gårdLink
2019No winner
2019Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsBaron Island Falconry ExperienceLink
2019Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsFinca Rincón del Rosario
2019Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsFumal
2019Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsSeedForward GmbHLink
2019Diploma for Outstanding DevelopmentsSIRPLUS GmbHLink
2018WinnerCoucooLink
2017WinnerWildernest Tiny HouseLink
2016WinnerWignac Cidre NaturelLink

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