The farmer of 2026 is Danica Kosmač from a farm at almost 1,000 meters

Danica Kosmač has been named Farmer of the Year for 2026, an award presented by the Association of Slovenian Women Farmers to honor her decades of dedicated work on a high-altitude family farm. The ceremony took place on Monday evening during a traditional event organized to mark World Women’s Day in Agriculture, which falls on October 15. Kosmač received the distinction from Minister of Agriculture Janez Cigler Kralj, who cited her long-standing connection to farming and her commitment to rural life. Her farm, located in Mrzli Vrh above Idrija, sits at an elevation ranging between 964 and 1,000 meters above sea level. Kosmač grew up on a farm as the eldest daughter, acquiring agricultural skills before attending an agricultural school in Nova Gorica. She later worked briefly in a village shop but returned to the family estate after three years due to heavy workload demands. She married into the community in 1978, moving from a neighboring village to join her husband Marko’s operations. The couple manages an 18-hectare property known locally as Na vodicah, primarily focused on livestock and forestry. For approximately four decades, they raised breeding heifers for the KZK Kranj cooperative before shifting their focus to dairy cows and beef bulls. Marko initially took over the farm in 1976 and transferred management responsibilities to their eldest son in 2011. The high-altitude location presents significant challenges, requiring extensive infrastructure improvements over the years. The family implemented large-scale land reclamation projects to make the difficult terrain more suitable for machinery. They constructed a modern barn capable of housing up to 45 animals in free-range conditions, with additional space for pigs and chickens intended for household consumption. Two large wells were built to ensure a reliable water supply for the estate. Because Marko was often away due to his employment in fieldwork, daily farm duties fell largely to Kosmač. Consequently, she mastered operating tractors and all associated attachments. She used these vehicles to transport materials for neighbors, plow snow off local roads, and drive children to nearby schools using a van. She also operates wood-processing equipment and assists with calving in both her own and neighboring barns. Beyond farm management, Kosmač maintains an active role in community and charitable activities. She is a member of the Rural Women’s Association in Idrija-Cerkno, participating regularly in tractor driving competitions with single-axle trailers. She has won fifteen trophies in these events. Her culinary skills have earned her numerous awards, mostly gold medals, for pastries, bread, cakes, and beverages. She also competed in haymaking and scything contests organized by the Sovodenj Tourist Society, bringing home ten additional cups. She serves as a member of the voluntary fire brigade in Ledine and participates in parish pastoral councils. At the recent celebration, she marked her 70th birthday, noting that she has seven children and fifteen grandchildren. Other nominees for the 2026 award included Jožica Brglez from Konjiška vas, Ivanka Kocjančič from the Pri Mežnarju farm on Katarija, Marija Naveršnik from the Povh farm in Dolgi Brdi near Prevalje, and Nada Šuštar from Velika Lašna. All five candidates were welcomed by Mayor Matjaž Švagan prior to the final announcement. In his speech, Minister Cigler Kralj emphasized the vital role women play in maintaining Slovenia’s countryside. He noted that women lead 29 percent of agricultural holdings, according to ministry data. Despite this representation, female farmers continue to face challenges regarding economic status, social security, and professional recognition. The minister stated that society must strive for equal opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and decision-making processes. He expressed hope for increased female representation in leadership positions within the agricultural sector, suggesting that women bring unique collaborative strengths to such roles. The award ceremony highlighted the broader contribution of women to rural development and community cohesion.