About

Proud Farm was established at the end of 2018 as an official group of farmers, with the aim of developing new technologies for dairy sheep and goat farming and creating alternative business models for the entry of young people into this field. Proud Farm is a founding member of the Mediterranean Agri-Food Competence Center (MACC), the InoFA (Internet of Food Alliance) Innovation Cluster and the first non-profit energy community Proud Farm.

Solution & Product

Proud Farm operates as a first distributor of sheep and goat milk, collecting and reselling from local producers. In addition, is the first to present to the Greek market the organic fertilizer made from sheep's wool, initially processing Greek wool in Austria, and then developing its own production unit in Kozani. Proud Farm also develops in collaboration with the American Farm School of Thessaloniki the educational platform for elementary and high school children ‘ Φάρμα εν Τάξη’ which means 'Farm in Class' or it can be translated as ‘Farm in Order’ . Last but not least, develops the first integrated system for the calculation of the dairy sheep and goats operations IOFC (Income Over the Feed Cost), with the aim of promoting it to farms in Greece and abroad. Proud Farm has developed an integrated farm management model based on sustainable intensification to maximize producer benefit while minimizing environmental footprint and maximizing animal welfare.

Innovation & Scalability

We envisioned and implemented in collaboration with the Reception and Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens, the Proud Life program, for the employment of guests of the homeless center, in selected livestock enterprises. In 2020, Proud Farm was awarded the first prize in the Venture Impact Awards organized by The Hellenic Initiative, while at the same time was selected by the Ministry of Rural Development as an emblematic agricultural enterprise in the context of the project "Integrated Plan of Communication Actions of the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2020 ". At the same time, we have started the effort to reverse the conditions of the economic system that invites young people to invest significant amounts of money for their entry into dairy sheep and goat farming, and to highlight a model that will feed back and can create sustainable farmers with minimal capital, through the establishment of the world's first dairy goat and sheep incubator. This is the only initiative in dairy sheep and goat farming that is organized at this level and has a clear social orientation. The incubator structure will itself be a product that can be replicated in different areas.

Traction & achievements

At the same time, Proud Farm has received approvals for the following investment and research programs: 1. Investment Law - Development of facilities and equipment for a dairy goat and sheep incubator farm - Total Budget €700,000 - Grant Rate 45%. 2. European Innovation Partnership (Measure 16) – Design and development of a dairy goat and sheep incubator – Total budget €450,000 - Grant rate 100%. 3. Clusters - Integrated Livestock Income Calculation System - Total Budget €30,000 - Grant Rate 80%.

Team & Why Us

Proud Farm's team has a long experience on dairy farming and agricultural production, with an educational background (MSc) on IT and Artificial Intelligence and a strong network of collaborators worldwide.

Funding Needs

Our funding needs will cover the further development and distribution of our IoT system for the daily calculation of the farmers Income Over the Feed Cost.