Second edition of the Agitu Gudeta Award for pioneers in sustainable agriculture

The winner 2023

Elisabeth Prugger of the Greiterhauswas unanimously selected as the winner of the 2023 Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award by the award promoters Martina Schullian, Susanne Elsen, Alessandra Piccoli, Monika Gross and Marion Maier from a total of 16 applications.
In its statement, the jury praised Elisabeth Prugger for choosing not to pursue a secure academic career with her interdisciplinary scientific expertise and political experience, but instead using her knowledge to actively drive the gradual and profound transformation of her home region. She practices bio-intensive vegetable farming, applies the principles of permaculture and the circular economy, and sells her produce at farmers' markets and by e-bike in the surrounding area. She is a co-founder of the Prad Village Dairy Cooperative (Biodorfsennerei Prad) and an active member of the Mals Citizens' Cooperative. She also organises markets and sustainability events, runs the "Feldküche" catering service, and offers educational programmes for school classes.
The award is endowed with €2,500 and is sponsored by Raiffeisenkasse Bozen / Ethical Banking.

Special Award 2023

The jury also awarded a special prize of €1,000 to Stefania Lusuardi of Maso Canova in Terlago (TN).
Through her work in organic farming, cultivating fruit, vegetables and herbs, combined with innovative forms of direct marketing such as pick-your-own harvesting, Stefania Lusuardi has created a model that can inspire other small farms in her region.
Her childcare services and holiday programmes for children on the organic farm provide valuable social and educational opportunities for the local community.
Stefania’s commitment to building networks and promoting community-supported agriculture has further strengthened the sustainability and regional impact of her bio-social initiatives.

Special Recognition 2023

In addition to these two awards, the jury granted a Special Recognition to Ala Adzakdia, an Iranian living in Trento, for building bridges of solidarity that help improve the living and working conditions of women in rural Iran. She is the founder of the bio-social enterprise „Shirin Persia“ in Trento. Through her company, she markets premium organic saffron grown by women in Iran and processed and refined in Trentino. In cooperation with the social cooperative Viaggi Miraggi, she also organises trips to the little-known rural regions of Iran, helping to make these women's lives and work visible while connecting them with the wider world. In this sense, her work is also a political act.
By marketing saffron and selling handmade products crafted by these women, Ala creates economic opportunities for them while at the same time contributing to the sustainable development of the region.

all pictures by Gregor Khuen Belasi