The national delegates of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) convened today (Wednesday, July 2) during the General Assembly of the organisation to elect a presidency for the 2025-2027 mandate.

Dutch arable young farmer Peter Meedendorp is re-elected for a second mandate, together with the same vice-presidents: Rudolfs Pulkstenis (Latvia); Elisabeth Hiden (Sweden); Katharina Schobersberger (Austria); Matteo Pagliarani (Italy).

The presidency will be designing its priorities and presenting them during its first Working Group in September.

Following his successful re-election, president Peter Meedendorp highlighted: “Beyond today’s vote and proceedings in general, is a strong call for continuity and unity, at a time when young farmers’ organisations are facing structural and policy uncertainties.

"It has been an honour for me to serve such committed and like-minded individuals, and I am looking forward to continuing our work with our presidency and secretariat.

The General Assembly also approved the budget of the organisation and welcomed two new observer members to the network standing for associate status - the Network of Young Agripreneurs (Mzeza mladih agropreduzetnika – MMA) from the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia andHerzegovina, and NFU Scotland Next Generation from the UK.

Peter Meedendorp (president) - a young farmer from the northern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Groningen. On his arable farm, they grow potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, onions, fibre hemp, and corn.

Over the past two years, they have added chicory and buckwheat to the crop rotation. In addition, they provide contract work for the dairy sector and are active in agri-environmental management.

He runs the farm together with his father, brother and team of staff members.

Meedendorp's academic background is in international relations (University of Groningen) and agricultural economics (Wageningen University).