“Strong women. Strong Agriculture.” – Josef Göppel Expert Forum 2026

The event, held as part of the Johannitag 2026, focused on the role of women in agriculture and highlighted their achievements, experiences and challenges. The opening address was given by Sophia Göppel-Kraft, daughter of Josef Göppel, after whom the event was named. In her personal address, she recalled her grandmother, who worked confidently as a farmer on her own farm and remains in her memory as a strong woman. Göppel-Kraft thus paid tribute to the work often carried out behind the scenes by women – both then and now. 

Personal journeys, challenges and prejudices

The focus of the expert forum was a panel discussion featuring Natalie Pracht (Master’s student in Applied Agricultural Sciences, HSWT), Dr Anne Schiborra (Head of the Triesdorf Animal Husbandry School) and Viktoria Treffler (graduate of the Agriculture degree programme, HSWT). The discussion was moderated by Dr Franziska Wespel, Professor of Plant Breeding at HSWT. The participants spoke about their personal career paths, their research, and the challenges and prejudices that women in Agriculture continue to face. It became clear how important it is to highlight these experiences, to raise awareness of the central – and often underestimated – role of women in the sector, and to come together in networks. 

The University of applied sciences as an inspiring space for freedom 

The importance of the University of applied sciences as a space for development and personal growth was emphasised. For 55 years, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences has been training specialists and leaders in Agriculture and Food, thereby playing a key role in shaping the sector’s next generation. With its female professors and lecturers engaged in research, it offers women role models, opens up opportunities, provides inspiration and offers targeted support to help them forge their own paths. Personal encouragement to pursue one’s own interests and to succeed despite existing hurdles is particularly crucial in this regard. With its range of degree programmes and a growing number of female students, HSWT is helping to ensure that more and more women take on roles of responsibility in Agriculture and the agri-food sector.

The Josef Göppel Expert Forum was organised by Tanja Strobel-Unbehaun, Head of the Sub-market Analyses Project (HSWT), and Julia Kamann, Equal Opportunities Officer for the act@hswt project (HSWT). Through this event, they sent a strong message in support of greater visibility, recognition and equal opportunities for women in Agriculture and the food industry. 

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