Organic farmer Tommi Hasu is HAMK’s Alumni of the Year 2023

Bachelor of Natural Resources, organic farmer Tommi Hasu is HAMK’s Alumni of the year 2023. Hasu successfully farms the family-owned LuomuMattinen farm owned by his family since the 1500s in Kouvola, and has been a bold advocate for farmers in the public eye.

Häme University of Applied Sciences annually honours an active and distinguished alumnus in their field. The 2023 Alumni of the Year recognition is given to Tommi Hasu, who graduated from HAMK in 2014 with a Bachelor degree in Natural Resources.

LuomuMattinen Farm was recently selected as the Organic Farm of the Year by The Finnish Organic Association. The farm grows gluten-free oats, peas and rapeseed and raises suckler cows. According to the selection criteria, Hasu is known as a spokesperson for organic farming and an active contributor on social media.

HAMK’s Alumni of the Year was also awarded for Hasu’s activity during his studies. For example, he was chairman of the Mustiala campus student association Toveriliitto and, as an alumnus, he has also visited HAMK to share his knowledge with current students. Hasu has also represented farmers in Ruoka Akatemia, a discussion and meeting forum for the Finnish food system, which brings together decision-makers and influencers from different backgrounds.

“I am grateful for the recognition. In my own work, I have seen in concrete terms that it is worth it to educate yourself. The work of a farmer is much more than just a hands-on job: you have to be able to lead, foresee and plan, deal with people and manage large entities. In all of this, my studies have been of great benefit,” says Tommi Hasu.

The Alumni of the Year award will be presented at HAMK’s graduation ceremony on 15.12.2023.