The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has awarded Madrid-based actress Ángela Molina special honorary recognition at the 14th edition of the "Excellence Awards for Innovation for Rural Women." Molina, along with Carla Simón, last year's winner, starred in "Letter to My Mother for My Son," a short film with which Simón pays tribute to motherhood, to her son, and to his mother.

In this 2023 edition, three prizes have been awarded for each category, with first, second, and third prizes of €18,000, €12,000, and €7,500, respectively. Since 2010, the Ministry has held these awards annually with the aim of highlighting the work of rural women in diversifying economic activity and their entrepreneurial activities in the region.

In other editions, in addition to featuring the aforementioned Barcelona-born director and screenwriter, the awards have gone to renowned women from the worlds of journalism, science, research, and cooperative activity. In this way, the ministry demonstrates its commitment to policies that promote full gender equality, facilitate young women's access to agricultural activity, and encourage the diversification of economic activity in rural areas, which contributes to halting the depopulation of these areas.

Awarded

The list of 2023 award winners is as follows:

A) SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THE CAREER LINKED TO SUPPORTING WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS AND RURAL FISHING AREAS

This year's honorary award goes to Ángela Molina for her impeccable professional career, consolidated and linked to the rural environment.

This year, the jury decided to award this prize based on his countless films featuring such diverse characters from different backgrounds that highlight so many realities; his commitment to culture; and his example.

B) EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY

The first prize went to L'Albeitar SC, a closed-cycle family pig farm in Guaso (Huesca), for eliminating the use of metaphylactic antibiotics, reducing ammonia emissions, and reducing the use of fertilizers.

The second prize goes to the Sociedad Cooperativa Galega A Carqueixa, a cooperative dedicated to extensive livestock farming in Os Ancares (Lugo). It is the only cooperative and one of the few companies that sells Supreme Galician Veal online (both meat and prepared meals). Furthermore, it has had a joint governing board since 2022.

Third prize went to María Mercè Oms Molist for her project "Casanova," a farm located in Sora (Barcelona) that combines extensive, organic beef cattle farming with the housing of non-productive horses. She also participates with goats and cheese production in a RETA space.

C) EXCELLENCE FOR INNOVATION IN FISHING OR AQUACULTURE ACTIVITY

The first prize goes to the Itsas Gela Aula del Mar Association for its work promoting maritime fishing heritage through the Mater museum boat. This floating museum, built on a large wooden Basque bonito boat that still sails for eco-activities, is located in Pasaia (Gipuzkoa).

Second place went to the Seo Fisterra Ría Muros Noia Sustainable Coast Women's Association for the coordination of the cooperative project Aula Sostible do Freixo, developed with social inclusion organizations and the Outes municipality. This is an inclusive center for transforming plastic waste from fishing and household use into recycled fishing tools.

Third prize went to Agrícola Gormaz SLU for reorienting the fish farm she inherited from her grandmother toward sustainability and quality, diversifying between the production of fattening trout and providing recreational and environmental education activities. The project is located on the Sant Luis spring in Vildé (Soria).

D) EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION IN DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN RURAL AREAS

The first prize went to Sociedad Cooperativa Madrileña Cerveza Artesana from Bustarviejo (Madrid), a women-led cooperative that produces organic artisanal beer, representing a commitment to the social and solidarity economy and environmental sustainability. They also have a bar in the village where they host a variety of cultural activities involving local residents.

The second prize goes to Centre Sommia Culla SLL, a psychoeducational center that offers various services for children and their families, promoting their holistic development. They work in very small municipalities and employ local people to carry them out.

Third place went to Bar Restaurante Rodi SL in Fuendejalón (Zaragoza). Two sisters have successfully combined traditional Aragonese cuisine with innovative techniques and ingredients that fuse with Garnacha. Their "Rodi Gourmet" product line, developed with the Aragon Agrifood Research and Technology Center, is particularly noteworthy.

E) EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATION

The first prize went to the Asturian Rural Development Network Association (READER) for its television program "Yo soy Rural," which seeks to showcase entrepreneurial projects launched with rural development grants from Asturias. Specifically, its fifth season focused exclusively on initiatives led by women.

The second prize went to Tamara Alvalaz Lázaro for her Pógcar de la Repera, a podcast orchestrated with two other women from Sacramenia (Segovia), which seeks to educate female entrepreneurs on how digital tools can help them in their businesses. The project also encompasses the "Eres la Repera" community of rural entrepreneurs and, soon, a virtual marketplace for them.

The third prize goes to the La ARTmosfera Cultural Association for its MAR Platform for Rural Women Artists. This website seeks to promote women artists from rural Aragon and includes an interactive map, a search engine, and a brief description of each artist's profile.

Ceremony

The Rural Women's Excellence in Innovation Awards will be presented around October 15th, in commemoration of International Rural Women's Day.