In the rolling countryside of the Czech Republic, where the meadows brush against fields of grain and the sound of sheep bells echoes through the valleys, stands a farm that is far more than a patch of land. It is the heart of an innovation story led by a woman whose determination and vision have reshaped the agricultural landscape around her.
At 45, Dr. Iva Zadražilová, mother of three and accomplished agricultural scientist, has not only kept her family’s land alive—she has transformed it into a living model of sustainable farming and rural entrepreneurship.
“I grew up loving farming,” she reflects. “Step by step, I persuaded my father, who was the boss of the farm, that we could try to do it in a natural way—without chemicals, without unnecessary inputs. I believed deeply that this was possible.”
From Academic Roots to Rural Renewal
Zadražilová’s journey into agriculture was not written in stone. In fact, her family hadn’t planned to continue in farming at all until her father received land back through restitution. Armed with a degree in general agriculture and landscape ecology from Mendel University in Brno and further postgraduate studies, including time at BOKU in Vienna, she was determined to prove that organic farming could not only work but also thrive.
Today, her Kyprůvmlýn farm spans 65 hectares, raising Suffolk lambs, cattle, and horses. The farm also produces honey, grains, and medicinal herbs—chamomile, mint, lemon balm, and plantain—which visitors can pick in the summer months.
“I wanted our farm to be more than a place for production,” she explains. “I wanted it to become a place where people, especially families from cities, could connect with nature and see what real ecological farming looks like.”
That vision grew into a flourishing agritourism business, launched in 2017. What began with just three rooms has expanded to a boarding house offering 14 apartments and 60 beds, run with the help of three employees, including two from Ukraine.
Balancing Certification and Innovation
But Zadražilová’s work doesn’t end on her farm. Since 2011, she has served as the director of the Czech branch of a German company certifying organic agriculture, overseeing a team of permanent inspectors and several externs. The role demands continuous education, particularly in the labyrinth of agricultural legislation, and it has given her a front-row seat to the evolution of organic farming across Europe.
“It provides stability,” she says, “but it’s also a source of inspiration. I see so many innovative practices, and that motivates me to bring new ideas back to my own farm.”
Among those ideas is a plan to test natural preparations against weeds and to restore an old mill on her property into a hydroelectric power station using a Francis turbine. “For me, farming has always been about finding ways to respect nature while moving forward with science and innovation,” she adds.
Pioneering in the Face of Scepticism
Her road, however, was far from smooth. When she first embraced organic farming two decades ago, few in her region believed it could be done.
“In my area, there were only conventional farms,” she recalls. “People didn’t understand what we were doing or why. They didn’t believe it was possible. For us, it was a challenge—to prove that organic farming wasn’t just an idea, but a real alternative.”
Years later, many of those same neighbours have followed her lead, converting their own farms to organic. “It’s one of my greatest satisfactions,” she says with a smile. “To see that our way has inspired others.”
Women Leading the Change
Through her participation in initiatives like FLIARA, Zadražilová has found not only recognition but also a network of peers.
“It’s inspiring to hear the stories of other women—each building her own path, often in very different ways than mine,” she notes. “This project shows that women can be leaders, excellent businesswomen, and loving mothers at the same time. It proves that we don’t need to choose one role—we can embrace them all.”
Her advice to women aspiring to innovate in agriculture is simple but powerful:
“Never give up on your dreams. Go step by step, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. Always find a way.”
Looking Ahead
For Zadražilová, the journey is far from over. With eyes set on renewable energy and sustainable practices, she continues to plant the seeds of innovation—not only for her own farm, but also for the rural communities watching her lead by example.
“Our farm is proof that you can do it differently,” she says. “And that’s what keeps me moving forward—the hope that more women, more families, and more farmers will believe that too.”