Experts in their field
Whether wine princess, milk queen or heather king, product royalty are important ambassadors for modern agriculture. They were given a stage at Grüne Woche.
The density of flower wreaths, sashes and traditional costumes was high on Sunday afternoon, 19 January 2025, at the ErlebnisBauernhof in Hall 3.2. The reason: the Product Highnesses had their grand entrance. They travelled to Grüne Woche from all over Germany to promote grain, sausage, honey, milk or wine from their region.
Saskia Zahn, wine princess from Thuringia, reported that such an office requires real passion. Having grown up on her parents' vineyard, she has been involved with wine since childhood. ‘It's important to me to show how much manual labour is still required,’ she says. Her favourite way to get people interested in the quality of German wines and the diversity of soils and varieties is at a wine tasting. However, she also reaches younger people via social media. Saskia Zahn's favourite is the new, fungus-resistant Helios grape variety with fruity apple and gooseberry flavours.
Valuable insights
Sophia Schäfer's day begins with a glass of milk straight from the milk tank. The Hessian Dairy Queen works on her parents' farm. She often has to do a lot of persuading, for example when it comes to animal welfare. ‘Only a healthy cow can give milk,’ she counters. A visit to the barn would take the wind out of the sails of many sceptics. Showing instead of lecturing is her motto, an approach that also appeals to her at the ErlebnisBauernhof at Grüne Woche.
Open to questions
As one of the AgrarScouts, Christiane Fuchs, a farmer from a potato farm in Rhineland-Palatinate, has already had many interesting conversations here. Students and young farmers from all federal states are organised in the network. ‘We explain how the produce is grown and how much passion goes into it,’ she says. And if she can't answer a question, a competent colleague is standing right next to her.
Lea Fliess, Managing Director of Forum Moderne Landwirtschaft, paid tribute to the work of the young men and women. They are securing the future of agriculture and the appreciation of its products. Farmers' President Joachim Rukwied also praised their commitment. They provide an authentic insight into agriculture and show that there is a farming family behind many products.
