Jakob Lindam wins Estonia’s 2026 Farmer of the Year award
Wednesday 11th November 2026 on 18:15 in
Estonia
Seventh-generation farmer Jakob Lindam, who grows grain in Lääne-Viru County, has been named Estonia’s 2026 Farmer of the Year, ERR reported.
Lindam has a master’s degree in agronomy from the Estonian University of Life Sciences and took over management of the agricultural company Aru Põllumajandus from his father, Andres, five years ago. His ancestors were all farmers, he said, adding that he could not imagine working in another sector.
The company has expanded from 40 hectares to 4,200 hectares. It grows wheat, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, buckwheat, hemp and cover crops. Its 17-person team harvests up to 20,000 tonnes of crops. Lindam said the range of crops helps spread risk.
The team conducts trials throughout the year, including tests with plants grown in pots, seed treatments and leaf samples. Only methods that prove successful in trials are used in the fields. Alongside mineral fertilisers and plant protection products, the company uses amino and fulvic acids, an extract made from its own worm compost, and lactobacilli.
Lindam said he wants to make grain farming more sustainable and profitable. He also said he hopes farming and his company will continue for another 50 to 100 years. When challenges arise, he said, farmers must remain curious and improve their economic position themselves rather than wait for outside help.
The winner was announced at a conference and awards ceremony at the Riigikogu on Wednesday. The contest was organised by Maaleht and the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce. Saaremaa organic egg producer Tanel Tang received the People’s Farmer title, and President Ülle Madise presented Lindam with the traditional Sower statue.
The jury focused particularly on innovation, assessing new solutions used in production as well as business success and the scale of economic activity. Lindam is also a member of a working group on climate legislation and a co-founder of Northern Roots, an organisation bringing together farmers, researchers and policymakers from the Baltic and Nordic countries.