Kees Huizinga, who grew up in Hellum and who has been running a farm in Ukraine for 20 years, was awarded the GFN Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award on Friday.
This international prize was awarded to him by the Global Farmer Network (GFN) for his efforts to raise awareness of the consequences of the Russian invasion for the agricultural sector in Ukraine and the food situation in the world. “Kees is an example in many areas. In 2022, he was forced to take charge to tell the real story about the grim reality of the struggle, the resulting food crisis and what it’s like to farm in times of war.”
Increase the voice of farmers
The GFN is an international non-profit organization that aims to raise farmers’ voices in promoting trade, technology, sustainable agriculture, economic growth and food security. The organization was founded in 2000.
The GFN Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award is presented annually to farmers who distinguish themselves through leadership, vision and decisiveness to encourage farmers to choose the right technology and resources to increase the quality, quantity and availability of agricultural products worldwide.