Juris and Vija Cīruļi – Baltic Sea farmers

Today, September 23, the winner of the “Baltic Sea Farmer” competition organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature is being awarded at the “Greener Agriculture for a Bluer Baltic Sea” conference in Warsaw. For the first time in the history of the competition, a farm from Latvia has been awarded the status of Baltic Sea Farmer – z/s Mežacīruļi and its owners Juris and Vija Cīruļi.
The owner of the Mežacīruļi farm, Deputy Chairman of the Farmers' Assembly Juris Cīrulis: "Today there is a truly good feeling of work done. Also because this is the result of the long-term work of many people, which has now been evaluated at an international level. My head has always been full of bold ideas and I am glad that there are many listening ears around me, who encourage me to take action and help me achieve my goals. Today's evaluation certainly serves as encouragement for me to take on new challenges and I hope that it also encourages my neighbors."
Deputy Chairwoman of the Farmers' Council Maira Dzelzkalēja: "This is the first time that the contribution of Latvian farmers to the preservation of the environment, and especially the Baltic Sea, has been so highly appreciated on an international scale. The Mežacīruļi farm now serves as an example for both domestic and European farmers on how to reduce nutrient runoff in agriculture, and proves that it is a myth that intensive farmers are the biggest polluters. Regardless of the size and intensity of the farm, a farmer who thinks about his business through the eyes of his children and grandchildren will do everything to preserve a clean environment for future generations. The most important thing in any farmer's decision-making is attitude and courage; resources will always be available if there is a true will."
It has already been reported that at the conference “Greener Agriculture for a Bluer Baltic Sea”, farmers, politicians, researchers and environmental specialists are discussing how to more successfully cooperate in preserving a clean Baltic Sea for future generations. The participation of the association “Farmers' Council” in the event is ensured by the Baltic Sea Program project “Baltic Compact”. In the project, we have devoted great attention to identifying targeted, effective and at the same time feasible agri-environmental measures for farmers.
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