Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award 2026 presented in Bozen
Over the past five years, the award has enabled around 15 women to receive prize money totalling more than €20,000 across various categories. More than 60 candidates have applied during this period – a remarkable achievement for the initiative group, which consists of five private individuals working on a voluntary basis.
With the award, the organisers aim to highlight women in South Tyrol who are pioneers of future-oriented, sustainable agriculture, who work in a multifunctional way and who act as innovators in rural areas.
Diversity, rather than monocultures, holds the potential for both stability and transformation – at both farm and societal level – because it enables new combinations and solutions. The award winners demonstrate how different areas can be integrated into agricultural work, creating innovative approaches and new opportunities. They drive innovation in products and marketing channels, combine agriculture with culture, social engagement and health, and revitalise rural areas through their activities. They also contribute to landscape ecology and demonstrate the enormous creative potential of agriculture and rural regions.
Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award goes to Sabine Schrott from Felderhof in Uttenheim
Over the past months, the award promoters Martina Schullian, Susanne Elsen, Alessandra Piccoli, Monika Gross and Marion Maier reviewed the submitted applications and decided to award the Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award 2026 to Sabine Schrott from Felderhof in Uttenheim, Pustertal.“Sabine Schrott is one of the most inspiring examples of combining diverse certified organic farming with the preservation and propagation of local seeds, the cultivation of 400 open-pollinated varieties, the production of young plants, direct marketing, and a community-supported approach to chicken and goat farming. These agricultural activities are complemented by a wide range of non-agricultural initiatives, such as farm holidays.
Sabine Schrott from Felderhof, located at an altitude of 1,450 metres, has made significant contributions to preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. She actively contributes to landscape ecology and advocates for the recognition of locally adapted seeds as a common good – a key issue for the future sustainability of agriculture and independence from the transnational agro-industry. Sabine is involved in international political and scientific networks to promote this important cause. She was nominated by a group of people who deeply admire her commitment.” The jury stated this in its evaluation.
The winner received a prize of €2,500, provided by Raiffeisenkasse Bozen Ethical Banking.
Special Award 2026 for Margareth Kaserer, Aspmayrhof, Ritten
The jury also awarded a Special Award worth €1,000 to Margareth Kaserer from Unterwangen on Ritten.“As an artist and farmer, Margareth Kaserer has successfully combined these two fields in a creative and productive way at Aspmayrhof. Under the name ‘Hotel Amazonas’, she has created a vibrant centre for art and culture on her farm. Margareth Kaserer has organised numerous public art and cultural events in the fields of literature, visual arts and performance. She also hosts international artists as artists in residence. Through her work, she makes a valuable contribution to the innovative and sustainable development of her rural surroundings.”
This was the jury’s reasoning for its decision.
Awards presented to Lisa Maria Kager (Eppan) and Sonja Proserpio (Mals)
Two additional candidates received a special surprise recognition: Lisa Maria Kager from Hof des Wandels in Eppan and Sonja Proserpio from Greilhof in Mals. Both were awarded €500 each.Lisa Maria Kager and her husband, who both entered agriculture from different professional backgrounds, are not satisfied with simply farming organically at their farm, whose name Hof des Wandels (Farm of Transformation) reflects their vision. Instead, they have made it their mission to promote regenerative agriculture, build healthy soils and encourage a change in awareness within their community. In their view, climate change could be addressed if agriculture worldwide were practiced consciously, responsibly and through regenerative methods. Lisa Maria also shares her vision through educational programmes.
At Greilhof in Mals, Sonja Proserpio, together with her husband, has brought a historic early medieval farm back to life after decades of abandonment. With great patience, expertise, time and dedication, they restored the farm, its Romanesque church, as well as the neglected meadows, pastures and cultivation areas.
As a trained land surveyor, Sonja Proserpio has transformed her passion for historic buildings into a commitment to applied heritage preservation and has further developed her expertise in sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry. Today, she manages the historic Greilhof. What has been created here is a unique place and a valuable contribution to both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the region.
An eco-social network of pioneers
Beyond recognising outstanding achievements, the promoters of the award are committed to creating a network of agricultural innovators who follow in the footsteps of Agitu Ideo Gudeta.The aim is to maintain close connections with the award recipients and to continue expanding the “Agitu Ideo Gudeta” network. During the award ceremony, all candidates and their activities were briefly introduced.
The prizes are funded by Raiffeisenkasse Bozen Ethical Banking as well as several private supporters and donors.
Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award Team
Martina Schullian, Susanne Elsen, Monika Gross, Alessandra Piccoli, Marion Maier
Bozen, 29 April 2026
Foto 1 (Photo by Peter Viehweider)
Sabine Schrott, winner of the Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award 2026, with Roland Furgler from Raiffeisenkasse Bozen Ethical Banking
Foto 2 (Photo by Peter Viehweider)
Margareth Kaserer, winner of the Special Award 2026
Foto 3 (Photo by Peter Viehweider)
Sonja Proserpio (left) and Lisa Maria Kager (right), recipients of the 2026 Recognition Awards
Foto 4 (Photo by Peter Viehweider)
The four recognised farmers together with the Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award Team (from left to right): Marion Maier, Monika Gross, Roland Furgler (Raiffeisenkasse Bozen Ethical Banking), Sabine Schrott (winner of the Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award), Margareth Kaserer (winner of Special Award), Sonja Proserpio and Lisa Maria Kager (recipients of the Recognition Awards), Susanne Elser, Martina Schullian.
