The fifth national Öko-Feldtage (Organic Field Days) 2025, held from June 18th to 19th at the Wassergut Canitz GmbH organic farm, provided a vital platform for showcasing innovation and fostering discussions in organic agriculture in the state of Saxony, Germany. Among the key contributors was Felicia van Tulder, FLIARA Project Partner in Germany, who highlighted the crucial work carried out through the project’s case studies.
The biennial Organic Field Days, organised by FiBL Projekte GmbH in cooperation with the Saxonian Ministry of Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture, and the Foundation for Ecology and Agriculture (SÖL), bring together farmers, researchers, and representatives from politics and business to explore current topics and advancements in the sector.
Eberswalde University hosted a prominent stand at the convention, where Felicia van Tulder engaged with attendees, presenting the FLIARA poster and providing innovators’ booklets. Her focus extended beyond the project specifics, as she passionately advocated for the importance of highlighting and supporting women’s work and potential in agriculture and society at large.
Van Tulder’s message resonated strongly with visitors. “Every conversation plants a seed for change—when we highlight women’s achievements and potential in agriculture, we not only challenge old prejudices but cultivate a future where everyone, regardless of background or gender, can thrive and lead,” she stated. “True progress grows when we walk together, listen to each other’s stories, and champion equality as a shared responsibility.”
She engaged in impactful conversations with numerous female visitors, many of whom were already active in women’s networks, finding common ground and shared purpose. Crucially, van Tulder also involved men in the dialogue, emphasising that gender equality is a communal effort—a point that was met with encouraging awareness by several male attendees.
One striking observation from her interactions was the “double prejudice” faced by young women without an agricultural background, who reported experiencing belittlement when expressing their desire to enter the sector. This underscores the systemic barriers that FLIARA aims to address by championing inclusivity and recognising diverse pathways into agriculture.
Felicia van Tulder’s presence at the Organic Field Days 2025 significantly contributed to the ongoing conversation about gender equality in agriculture, reinforcing the FLIARA project’s commitment to a more equitable and inclusive future for the industry.