Jana Gäbert, manager Agrargenossenschaft Trebbin eG and winner of the Women in Ag Awards 2024, Berlin area (Germany)
Jana Gäbert, a farmer and scientist as well as a mother, champions fair milk prices, biodiversity, and gender equality in agriculture. She is part of the management of Agrargenossenschaft Trebbin eG in eastern Germany, a farmers’ cooperative that manages four thousand hectares, striving to balance sustainability with food production. Jana Gäbert promotes “unconventional conventional agriculture,” bridging science and practice to address climate change while focusing on biodiversity, sustainability, and innovation. Her engagement and inspiring work for women in our industry earned her this year’s Women in Ag Award, presented at EuroTier in Hannover.
She did not grow up on a farm, nor did her parents have any connection to agriculture. Nevertheless, Jana Gäbert had a strong interest in natural sciences and was fascinated by agricultural machinery from a very young age. In spite of what others thought, she decided to pursue a degree in agricultural science at age thirteen before continuing on at Humboldt University in Berlin. Today, she runs a four thousand hectares (9884 acres, red.) farm, including a 1600 head cattle herd.
Managing a farm cooperative near Berlin
“I used to enjoy helping farmers with the haymaking and watching their big machines when I was young”, Jana remembers. “When I decided to study agricultural sciences, many people around me were skeptical about whether this was the right path for me. Despite these doubts, I pursued my plan and studied agricultural sciences at Humboldt University in Berlin. I first earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences and then specialized with two master’s degrees: one in crop science and another in animal science. These studies provided me with a comprehensive understanding of both crop production and livestock farming.”
During the final phase of her studies, Jana decided to apply to Agrargenossenschaft Trebbin eG and began her career in cattle fattening and mother cow farming. “Over the years, I gradually took on more responsibility and worked my way up to the management team. This journey has not only strengthened my passion for agriculture but also enhanced my ability to address challenges in this field.”
The farm Jana manages is located south of Berlin, in a region characterized by sandy soils, with deep groundwater and an average soil quality index of 23 – conditions that are rather below average in terms of soil fertility. “The long-term average annual precipitation is only 530 mm/m², with most of the rain falling in winter. Particularly challenging are the frequent early summer droughts as well as heat and drought periods in summer. At the same time, we occasionally experience very cold winters”, Jana explains.
These specific climatic and geographical conditions bring unique challenges, particularly in the areas of water management and soil fertility. “We need to implement innovative and sustainable measures to adapt to these conditions and to ensure long-term agricultural production.”
Diversification
Of the four thousand hectares, 1100 hectares (2718 acres, red.) are grassland. This high proportion of grassland is used for the farm’s value-added production through dairy farming. The farm has 950 dairy cows plus their offspring, totaling approximately 1600 cattle. On top of this, the team is currently in the process of establishing a small beef cattle herd on site. The livestock branch of the farm alone employs twenty-five people, twenty additional employees work in crop production.
“Additionally, we operate in non-agricultural sectors, including a hotel with a canteen, a gas station with a car workshop, an agricultural machinery workshop, a vehicle painting facility, and a construction equipment rental service. This diversification helps us remain economically stable and ensures the future viability of our operation.”
The farm has its roots in the former German Democratic Republic and emerged from an Agricultural Production Cooperative (LPG, red.). After the reunification of Germany, people faced the decision of how to move forward. That’s when a handful of employees decided to take on the challenge of continuing on under the name of Agrargenossenschaft Trebbin eG. “This step allowed us to combine the tradition and experience of the LPG with the opportunities of a market-oriented economy. Since then, we have continuously developed and restructured our operation to make it future-proof and to provide jobs and prospects for the people in our region.”
Never boring
Like all farmers, Jana has no “typical” days in her job as every day brings new challenges and the work is seasonal. “My morning usually starts with getting my kids ready and out the door before heading to the barn. There, I begin with a situational analysis: what challenges need to be addressed today? Are there any minor or major emergencies that require immediate attention? After that, I review the milk data and take delivery notes and documents to the office, where I handle administrative tasks”, she says.
“Depending on the season and the feeding situation, I collaborate with our crop production manager to discuss feed planning and production. I also plan biodiversity-promoting measures and oversee their implementation. Other responsibilities include meetings with business partners, assessing grasslands – by identifying and documenting indicator species – and managing emails and phone calls. I often calculate feed rations or prepare for upcoming appointments as well. It’s a diverse mix of hands-on work on the farm, strategic planning, and office tasks – it’s never boring, that’s for sure!”
Women in leadership roles in agriculture
When we ask Jana if she encounters prejudices against women in our industry, the answer is a resounding “yes”. “I encounter prejudices again and again—whether subtle or outright”, Jana says. “In an industry that is often heavily male-dominated, women are frequently assumed to have less expertise or assertiveness. This ranges from comments like, “You don’t look like a farmer,” to situations where my decisions are questioned simply because I am a woman.” If you think women can’t be assertive, though, Jana will prove you wrong, not hesitating to call deals off if she isn’t treated with respect. “There have been instances where I deliberately let a deal fall through because I wasn’t taken seriously. That wasn’t an easy decision, but it was important to me to set a clear boundary and demonstrate that respect must be the foundation of any collaboration.”
Generally, she adopts an unbothered attitude when she feels there is prejudice, letting her actions prove her worth, even though she doesn’t shy away from confrontations if she feels she has to. “I respond by not letting these attitudes unsettle me. My work speaks for itself, and over the years, I have developed the necessary expertise and practical skills to succeed in my position. I also consciously engage in selected conflicts to challenge stereotypes and set clear boundaries. While it can be exhausting, it is essential to drive sustainable change.”
“I see these situations as opportunities”, Jana explains, “they allow me to prove otherwise and break down clichés. I also try to address the issue openly to raise awareness and encourage other women to stand their ground in male-dominated professions. Through dialogue and networking, we can work together to break down prejudices and strengthen the role of women in agriculture.”
Facing the many challenges of our industry
In a profession that presents many challenges, more often than not occurring simultaneously and requiring quick action regardless of the time of day, one key issue for our industry is adapting to climate change. “On our sandy soils with low rainfall and frequent extreme weather events, it is a significant task to maintain soil fertility ensuring stable yields”, Jana comments.
“Another difficulty is balancing economic, ecological, and social goals”, she adds. “We are under economic pressure, yet we are also expected to work more sustainably and fulfill our social responsibilities as employers. However, financial support or societal recognition for these additional efforts is often lacking. On top of that, there is a shortage of skilled workers, making it increasingly difficult to find qualified employees for all areas. Bureaucratic hurdles are another constant challenge, whether in documentation, grant applications, or new regulations.”
“Finally, a personal challenge is facing prejudices as a woman in a leadership role in agriculture. It takes energy and perseverance to assert myself while maintaining a respectful and professional demeanor.”
A particularly challenging moment for Jana was her first day as the only person responsible for managing livestock production, she recalls. “There was no handover or training, and I suddenly faced the task of figuring everything out from scratch. With nothing but sheer determination, I went to the barn without fully knowing the processes or all the staff members. It was a complete leap into the unknown, and I had to painstakingly gather information, get an overview, and build trust. The respect I felt for this responsibility was immense, but I am still proud today that I took this step and grew from the experience.”
A great memory was the visit of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the farm, which felt like a recognition for Jana and her colleagues hard work. “It was a special opportunity to present our work and efforts in sustainability, biodiversity, and modern agriculture directly. Seeing how interested and open he was to our challenges and innovations was a real highlight for me and our entire team. Moments like these make the hard work visible and provide incredible motivation to keep going.”
Women in Ag Awards
If you attended this year’s Women in Ag Awards ceremony at EuroTier, you might remember a visibly emotional Jana on the stage as she received her award in the category “Agriculture”. “I never expected to win. There are so many impressive, strong women in agriculture around the world that I didn’t think I had much of a chance”, she says. “When I received the news, I was absolutely overwhelmed and couldn’t believe it at first. I was so deeply moved that I cried—not just out of joy, but because it felt like such an enormous compliment. This award gives my passion and engagement a special significance, and that makes me incredibly proud and grateful.”
Be brave
Jana’s advice for young women who want to pursue a career in agriculture would be to follow their path in spite of the opinions of others. “Agriculture is a challenging but incredibly rewarding industry. Stay curious, continue learning, and don’t let prejudices discourage you. Take every opportunity to gain experience and connect with others. And most importantly: believe in yourself and your abilities. There is room in agriculture for your ideas, your strengths, and your perspectives—be brave!”
She would also encourage the women from our industry to apply for the next edition of the Women in Ag Awards, to be held at Agritechnica in November. “I would recommend it to every woman in agriculture! This award is an incredible platform to showcase your achievements and highlight the diverse and vital role of women in agriculture. It’s not just about the prize, but also about the opportunity to become part of an international network, meet inspiring women, and gain new perspectives. Additionally, participating shines a light on the amazing things women in agriculture achieve every day—and these stories deserve to be heard!”
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This article was published in Women in Ag Mag 2024-004. Click here to read the magazine
