24/09/2026
23 September was the European Day of Organic Farming, Copa and Cogeca joined forces with the EU Food & Farming
and IFOAM Organics Europe to celebrate some of the best organic farmers across Europe at the 5th edition of the Organic Awards! 🎉
DG Agri Director General Elisabeth Werner: “The EU organic market is the 2nd largest in the world”; with million hectares farmed organically and young farmers leading the charge.
Søren Sødengaard, Copa Vice President and Danish farmer, agreed with the public: "This year was dry and bumpy!”
“Challenges keep farmers up at night- he said. That’s why we must focus on supporting farmers, not just setting targets. We should ask what it is we can do to help organic farmers and make organic farming easier, not just setting targets. Rising costs, limited tools are real hurdles. We need more market opportunities and practical solutions, like extra financial support to cover extra costs as well as reward the environmental and social services organic farmers provide.”
🥁And the winners are…
🏆 Kay O’Sullivan, winner of the Best Female Organic Farmer 2026! 👩🌾 For 17 years, she has championed organic farming in Mourneabbey, North Cork 🇮🇪 preserving her family’s farm and cattle with dedication. Copa Cogeca’s VP Søren Sødengaard and Emilio Fidora, Vice Chair of our Organic Working Party, were honored to present her with this well-deserved award 🐑
🏆 Hans Erik Lørgensen, winner of the Best Male Organic Farmer 2026, whose Risbjerg Landbrug farm in Fyn 🇩🇰 has thrived for 20 years with 6 000 outdoor pigs and 350 hectares of organic land.
He reminded us: "We need the EU, to produce with common rules." Fairness, clarity and shared standards are essential to keep the sector growing, a sector Europeans know and trust.
Both Kay and Hans Erik are highly experienced organic livestock farmers who merge know-how with innovation to make the most out of the organic production system. They serve as amazing examples of consistency, adaptability, resilience and of course organic principles such as sustainability, biodiversity and focus on animal welfare.
👏Huge congratulations to the winners for all categories of the EU Organic Awards 2026