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Young farmer Johann Ochs brings tradition into the future!
Johann Ochs, 21, from Schwalmstadt, achieved 15th place in the national competition for German rural youth. Insight into agriculture.
Young farmer Johann Ochs brings tradition into the future!
What's going on in Todenhausen? The young farmer Johann Ochs has reason to celebrate! The 21-year-old achieved an impressive 15th place at the national level in this year's German rural youth professional competition. This competition has established itself as an important platform for young managers in the agricultural industry. Almost 10,000 young people from all over Germany have taken part since February 2025, and the best 77 recently met for the federal decision in Bad Sassendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia HNA reported.
Johann is determined to take over the family business that has been run in Todenhausen for generations. With 80 dairy cows and arable farming, this farm is not only a heritage, but also a center for his passion, which began in childhood. Memories of the time when he rode on the tugboat with his grandfather and father are invaluable to Johann.
A competition of talents
The professional competition, which is held every two years, offers participants a great opportunity to demonstrate their specialist knowledge and practical skills. This year, participants not only had to take written exams in crop and animal production, but also master practical tasks such as assessing cows and polishing grain. Ochs also had to give a presentation in which he explained what the promotion of young talent in agriculture should look like. These diverse requirements underline the importance of the competition, which is supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture BMEL.
His father, who was the national winner of the competition in 2001, inspired Johann, and despite the placing, he emphasized that the experience he gained was his greatest honor. “I want to learn and grow,” explains the young farmer.
Successful colleagues
The competition is not only a platform for Todenhausen, but also presents the diversity and skills of agriculture throughout Germany. In Bavaria, for example, there were several placings in the federal decision: Sophia Ziesel became the best housekeeper in Germany, while Martin Schuml from Neumarkt took third place in the agriculture category. Antonia Zierer and Celina Herrnberger from Upper Palatinate secured third place in the Agriculture II team competition. The Bavarian Farmers' Association emphasizes that such competitions are important to improve the image of agricultural professions and to promote networking among young farmers.
The next steps on the path to the competition are already planned, with the district decisions on March 18, 2025 and the state decision on April 9 and 10, 2025. At each of these events, participants have the opportunity to further develop their skills and exchange ideas with like-minded people.
In an ever-changing agricultural sector, such events are not only an advertisement for the professions, but also an opportunity to nurture the next generation of farmers. Johann Ochs is on the right track and will continue to keep his finger on the pulse of agriculture while mastering his legacy in Todenhausen.