Gesäuse: Region of innovation
Gesäuse Innovation Award goes to "Organic sheep's wool flakes as permanent fertiliser"
Admont (05/12/2023)
For the fifth time now, the Gesäuse Partner Network awarded the Innovation Prize for the greatest innovations in the region. The jury was impressed by a submission from the agricultural sector: Yvonne Stecher from Frauenberg took first place with "Organic sheep's wool flakes as permanent fertiliser". Silver went to the "Active Fishing River House" from Großreifling and third place to the "Xeis NeSt" accommodation business from Weng. The prizes were awarded during the Gesäuse Partners' end-of-year celebrations at the Kölblwirt in Johnsbach.
Yvonne Stecher produces flakes or pellets from sheep's wool, which are used as fertiliser for plants - vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants. The flakes are very easy to use, also serve as a water reservoir and have a high nutrient content. The 100%igen organic sheep's wool contains mainly nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium. As a long-term effect, a loosening of the soil and a favourable environment for microorganisms has been observed. "If the soil is doing well, the plant is doing well, we're all doing well. Without chemicals and completely harmless!" says Yvonne Stecher about her product.
Second place went to the "Active Fishing River House" in Großreifling. Wolfgang Windhager has been fly fishing professionally for 20 years. This May, he moved his fly fishing shop and rod-making workshop to Großreifling. He can offer a wide range of services from the River House. These include trading in fly fishing equipment, manufacturing handmade fishing rods, managing several fishing areas and offering fly fishing courses, guiding, events and accommodation for guests and course participants. The River House offers six rooms in the fantastic ambience of a 300-year-old forester's lodge with many architectural refinements. The jury was impressed by the overall concept centred around fly fishing.
Kathrin Stock and Thomas Nebl won the bronze prize with the "Xeis NeSt" in Weng. They breathed new life into the "Gasthof zum Kirchenwirt" in Weng, which had been empty for years. Five double rooms with ten beds were put into operation with an innovative concept. The furnishings are natural and the rooms have a unique connection to the Gesäuse region. The catering business integrated into the building was also reactivated and successfully leased out. The Xeis Stub'n complements the room rental on the one hand, but also revitalises the entire village, which has not had an inn for years. The jury particularly praised the sensible new use of an old building and the associated revitalisation of Weng.
Four criteria were important for the jury's judgement: degree of innovation, economic or social relevance, regional relevance and sustainability. Private individuals, companies, associations and schools based in the Gesäuse tourism region were eligible to apply for the Innovation Award - regardless of whether they were a Gesäuse partner company or not.
Jury members:
- Christian Hollinger (Regional Head of WKO Liezen)
- Andrea Heinrich (Mayor of Liezen)
- Eva Stiermayr (Managing Director Regional Management Liezen)
- Jaqueline Egger (Managing Director of the Gesäuse Tourism Association)
- Martin Gebeshuber (KLAR Model Region Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark)
- Markus Blank (Head of the Gesäuse National Park)
- Christian Scheucher (Dürrenstein-Lassingtal Wilderness Area)
- Ulrich Matlschweiger (Industry spokesperson for catering & accommodation, Gesäuse Partner)
- Susanne Weissensteiner (Specialities sector spokesperson, Gesäuse Partner)
- Klaus Gassner (industry spokesman for trade & commerce, Gesäuse Partner)
Enquiries and contact
Gesäuse Tourist Office
presse@gesaeuse.at
t: +43 3613 211 60 10
