AGRILL construction competition a resounding success – jury spoiled for choice

At the Agritechnica 2025 in Hanover, the prizes for the AGRILL construction competition were awarded last night. 40 innovative, technically sophisticated, and lovingly designed grills were evaluated by an independent jury. And the members had “a tough choice,“ as DLG President and jury member Hubertus Paetow explained. The AGRILL team, a volunteer organization promoting a positive image change in agriculture, initiated the grill construction competition.

The idea of AGRILL was born in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein at the Farmers' Association in Rendsburg. The competition has shown that the idea has spread to Lake Constance. The motto #gemeinsamgenießen, under which the volunteers started their action month, finds support from the coast to the Alps, leads to dialogue, and brings people together during assembling and tinkering. Enjoyment and a cosy atmosphere are clearly the focus of the AGRILL events. Co-organizers, in addition to the SH Farmers' Association, include the Federal Association of Cattle and Pigs, the organization LAND.SCHAFFT.WERTE e.V., and the agency agro-kontakt.

In the meantime, the idea has become a real movement. More and more farmers nationwide are participating and inviting neighbours, volunteer firefighters, kindergartens, school classes, community representatives, and many more to “AGRILL events“ on their farms.

The absolute highlight this year is the “AGRILL grill construction competition.“ The AGRILL team had called for submissions through social media. Craft workshops, hobbyists, and tinkerers were asked to submit their self-made grills. The result thrilled the organizers: Over 40 applications were received, including two from Austria and numerous collaborations between farmers, metalworkers, and carpenters. The motto #gemeinsamgenießen works. An independent volunteer jury, including Hubertus Paetow (DLG President), Nikola Steinbock (Board Spokesperson of the Rentenbank), Nils Thun (President of the Federal Association of Machinery Rings), Hendrik Lindemann (Agri-Influencer), Ingo Schoppe (Product Marketing Krone), Jacqueline Montesdeoca Gonzalez (LAND.SCHAFFT.WERTE. e.V.), and Guido Höner (Editor-in-Chief top agrar and profi), selected the best grills. The winners were awarded yesterday at Agritechnica in the Farming Simulator pavilion, which made its location available free of charge. The companies EDEKA Minden-Hanover, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, and the Landwirtschaftsverlag Münster-Hiltrup with the brands top agrar and profi sponsored valuable prizes for the awards.

In a tie, Johann Kaiser (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Leonard Kurz (Baden-Württemberg) shared sixth place. The company EDEKA Minden-Hanover, represented by Änne Spannuth, Head of Corporate Communications, donated a shopping voucher worth 500 euros for each sixth-place winner.

The fifth place went to Nico Bausenhart (Bavaria), who scored 271 points from the jury for his self-made grill. Nico also receives a shopping voucher from EDEKA Minden-Hanover worth 500 euros. The metalworker is auctioning his unique piece for a good cause.

Fourth place, endowed with 500 euros by the Landwirtschaftsverlag, went to Lukas Meyer zu Driehausen, an apprentice at Claas in Hasewinkel, scoring 276 points. The Managing Director of the Landwirtschaftsverlag, Dr. Ludger Schulze Pals, presented him and the third-place David Vogel from Bavaria, with 277 points, with a cash prize of 500 euros each.

Änne Spannuth celebrated together with Vincent Nischan from Stockach, scoring 284, who received second place. For this, Vincent was awarded a 1,000 Euro EDEKA shopping voucher for his next grill party.

The coveted first prize, a workshop trolley from WÜRTH worth 2,000 euros, went to Ludger Drees from Ermke. With 297 points, the self-made grill from his team was the jury's clear favourite. Nico Förster, Key Account Manager at WÜRTH, presented the virtual workshop trolley amidst great applause to the winner.

One grill received a special prize from the entries: built in the Amazone training workshop by Tim Schade and his fellow trainees, the “AMA Grill“ received the Innovation Award, funded by the Landwirtschaftsverlag worth 1,000 euros and presented by Managing Director Dr. Ludger Schulze Pals. This fully automatic sausage grill is the final project of the apprentice.

“We are truly impressed by the response to the grill construction competition,“ emphasized Änne Spannuth and Dr. Ludger Schulze Pals. “It shows us how important it is to support this event and bring people together at the grill in an ever-faster world. AGRILL makes a significant contribution to agriculture and the food industry through volunteer efforts.“

“The AGRILL format will continue in 2026. We want to inspire even more people and companies for the idea of #gemeinsamgenießen,“ reports Sönke Hauschild, AGRILL's initiator. “We want to bring people together on agricultural farms nationwide. We are very proud of our initial successes.“ Hospitality and community were celebrated directly after the award ceremony at the Meet&Grill - where the innovation grill and the prototype of the competition, the Kronegrill from 2024, were in use. MIAVIT provided drinks with its “Rasta Helles.“ The guests agreed: A successful conclusion to the trade fair day.

Background Information

The Agrill was launched in 2024 to provide an opportunity to experience hospitality and enjoy regional products. Under the motto #gemeinsamgenießen, it is about community and diversity. All information at www.agrill.org

Project Partners

The Farmers' Association of Schleswig-Holstein e.V. represents the interests of its members in politics and society. Besides, the association sees itself as a service provider to its members with an attractive range of advisory and service offerings.

LAND.SCHAFFT.WERTE. e.V. acts as a voice and mediator of the value-added chains in the agricultural and food industry. LAND.SCHAFFT.WERTE. aims to increase sensitivity and awareness for food from Germany through its type of society-oriented communication, focusing on the sensitive topic of animal husbandry.

The Federal Association of Cattle and Pigs e.V. (BRS) is the umbrella organization for German cattle and pig production. The task of the Federal Association is to promote German animal breeding and husbandry, especially for cattle and pigs. The aim is to preserve German animal husbandry, strengthen the competitiveness of member organizations, and support the sustainable production of high-quality products. The Federal Association sees itself as a mediator between the interests of members and third parties (society, politics, science, and other professional associations) at national and international levels.