The winner of the 2014 young farmers' competition "Call of the Ancestors" is Matīss Grīnbergs from Burtnieki region.

January 10th The annual Farmers' New Year's Ball of the association "Farmers' Council" was held in Jelgava Castle, where the winner of the 2014 young farmers' competition "Call of the Ancestors" was announced - Matīss Grīnbergs, owner of the "Adzelvieši" farm from Burtnieki municipality. The winner of the competition received a special prize – a millstone made by sculptor Pauls Jaunzems, as well as an all-expenses-paid three-day trip for two to one of the largest European agricultural exhibitions.

Matīss Grīnbergs, owner of the farm "Adzelvieši": “I participated in the competition for the first time. When I was named the winner of the 2014 “Call of the Ancestors” title, I was worried and very surprised. The victory in this competition is the merit of the entire family – I continue the farming started by my father and hope that my son will continue it. Also, this victory is an incentive and a push to continue what I have started even better.”

Maira Dzelzkalēja, Deputy Chairwoman of the Association "Farmers' Council": “It was very difficult to choose the winner of the competition this year, because all 16 finalists, with their enthusiasm and love for agriculture and the countryside, were worthy of winning the title of winner of the “Call of Ancestors 2014” competition. Matīss Grīnbergs has tried his luck abroad, worked in a government institution and came to the conclusion that there is nothing better than farming the farm that his grandfather and father cultivated. When meeting Matīss, there is confidence that he will continue to be a farmer on his land and will do it to the best of his conscience.”

Member of the European Parliament Sandra Kalniete: "I am pleased that, thanks to the "Calling of the Ancestors" competition, I had the opportunity to meet so many young, determined and capable farmers. For them, the fields are not just production, but a way of life and a calling of the heart, to follow and fulfill."

At the event, the competition jury and supporters also presented their favorite awards. The Ministry of Agriculture's favorite award went to Gundar Láča (z/s "Dzintarlāči") from Tērvete municipality, "Latvian Development Finance Institution" Altum"The sympathy award was presented Marika Grīslītė (SIA "Krīgeri") from Auce region, the Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association award went to Zigmund Skutelis (z/s "Jūzupeņi") from Preiļi region, the favorite of the Latvian Young Farmers Club was Janis Hercbergs (z/s "Vizbuļi") from Dobele municipality, the Rural Support Service sympathy award went to Martina Bogusha (z/s "Apiņi") from Ilūkste region. The Latvian University of Agriculture's sympathy award was presented Edgars Bites (z/s "Baloži") from Koknese region and the association "Zemnieku saeima" the prize went to two participants of the competition: Roberta Lochmelis (z/s "Mazdzervites") from Kocēni municipality and Janas Chaunanas (z/s „Liepas”) from Riebiņi region, while the Latvian Rural Consultation and Education Centre's sympathy award was presented For Inese and Maris Klodans (z/s "Mucenieki") from Preiļi region.

Supporters and friends of the competition also presented their sympathy awards. The sympathy award of the company "Konekeso" went to Matīs Grīnbergs (z/s "Adzelvieši") from Burtnieki municipality and Roberta Lochmelis (z/s „Mazdzērvītes”) from Kocēni region, the company „Dimela Veta Latvija” was a favorite Linda Venckus (SIA "Liepvidi") from Saldus region, the LPKS "Latraps" sympathy award went to Solvitas Čaunāne and Kasparas Bože (IK "Kaso") from Vārkava region and the publishing house "Saimnieks" were presented with sympathy awards Aldis Upenieks (z/s "Kvedervecumi") from Vārkava region, To Alexander Medvedev (z/s "Dzērves") from Dobele region, Kaspars Paegles (z/s "Vējiņi") from Alūksne region and Ilona Lecha (z/s "Paparžkalni") from Limbaži region.

All finalists of the competition received incentive prizes – the opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Brussels and a subscription to the magazine "AgroTops".

This year, 33 young farmers from all over Latvia applied for the competition. After a thorough evaluation of the applicants, 16 farmers, representing a very diverse range of farms – floriculture, fruit growing, vegetable growing, grain growing, dairy and meat farming, continued their participation in the second round of the competition.

The competition was first held in 2010, and over the years the winners of the competition have been Inga and Zigmunds Kalniņi from Aizpute region, Valdis Zujs from Rēzekne region, Jānis Vaivars from Skrīveri region, and Aija Šneidere and Jānis Miķelsons from Limbaži region.

Photo: Martins Barons