On January 11, 2025, the 81st Lower Austria Farmers’ Association Ball took place in Vienna’s Austria Center and thrilled thousands of guests with an incomparable atmosphere. The ball was well attended with well over 4,000 visitors and once again demonstrated its special importance as a social highlight.
“So many farmers in the federal capital are a strong sign and signal from the farmers’ association. It shows we pull together and stand united behind our goals and demands. With this strength we cannot be ignored or our interests fall under the table. Thank you to the many volunteer officials and helpers in the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association who make us the ÖVP’s most mobilizing sub-organization,” said Chamber President Johannes Schmuckenschlager, whose top candidate for the Chamber of Agriculture election on March 9, 2025 was publicly announced after his nomination to the state executive board of the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association yesterday. was presented.
Regional enjoyment and social encounters
The Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball is much more than just a celebration: it combines enjoyment, culture and social exchange at the highest level. The ball visitors were treated to culinary delights with traditional delicacies from the traditional Waldviertel company Waldland. Regional and sustainable food from local production made the farm work tangible in the most delicious way. At the same time, the ball offered a unique platform to bring politics, business and society together and to celebrate the diversity of Lower Austria. This combination of regionality and social networking makes the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball a fixture in the event calendar that radiates far beyond the state’s borders.
20,000 flowers for a floral masterpiece
“Our gardeners do great things. Every year they create a blooming splendor that transforms the ballroom into a unique sea of flowers,” says Stefan Jauk, ball chairman of the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball. With 20,000 flowers, a floral masterpiece was created that amazed visitors and provided the perfect photo backdrop. This lovingly designed backdrop contributed significantly to the incomparable ambience of the ball.
Nothing works without rural youth!
The heart of the traditional flag raising is the young generation of agricultural colleges, who wave the flags with pride and commitment. They stand for the future and cohesion and give the ball a very special atmosphere. Year after year, this impressive image symbolizes the connection between young farmers and their homeland. The rural youth in particular are a strong partner and loyal companion to the ball. This year she also actively helped with the preparations and set a special highlight with her own milk bar.
Youth and charity are the focus of the ball
Since the very first Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball, the event has had a clear mission and a charitable purpose: the proceeds are used for scholarships for the training and further education of youth in rural areas. This was the basic idea of Leopold Figl and the farmers’ association team at the time to ensure equal opportunities for young people from rural areas.
In addition, this year the traditional women’s donation was replaced in favor of a donation to “Help in Your Own Country”. 10,000 euros were collected, including for victims of the flood disaster in Lower Austria. Instead, the farmers from Lower Austria took the initiative themselves and presented the guests with a spicy surprise of homemade herbal salt as a welcome gift.
Thanks to everyone involved – Christoph Metzker will be the ball chairman
Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Chairman LH-Deputy. Stephan Pernkopf makes it clear that the ball was a great effort by the organizing team: “A special thank you goes to everyone who contributed to the success of the ball with their commitment and creativity. Be it in terms of organization, decoration, cuisine or the smooth running – only through the commitment of the numerous participants could the 81st Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball once again become an outstanding event. Your commitment is the cornerstone for the great success of this traditional event. On behalf of everyone, I would especially like to thank our ball chairman, General Director Stefan Jauk, who, after 13 years, will hand over the ball chairmanship to Christoph Metzker, board member of the RWA.”
The 82nd Lower Austria Farmers’ Association Ball will take place on January 10, 2026.