The 100th anniversary of Libramont Coopéralia
Founded in 1926 on the initiative of Ardennes draught horse breeders, the cooperative is celebrating its centenary with an exceptional programme, culminating at the Fair:
- Friday 24 July: opening ceremony of the centenary celebrations (commemorative film + panel discussion on the cooperative’s commitments)
- Sunday 26 July: equestrian show “L’Ardennais en lumière — 100 years of partnership and tradition”
- A special edition beer “La 26” brewed by the Brasserie Nationale (Battin) using Belgian barley and malt
- Greening of the Fairgrounds with the aim of making it the most sustainable in Europe: in early 2026, a century-old orchard, a showcase vineyard, an experimental hop field, a market garden greenhouse and 200 metres of hedgerow were established. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to finance the next stages. Support this project! Libramont Coopéralia: 100 years of roots, a century of future
- The Great Farmers’ Consultation, a national survey on the agricultural transition
“ ‘Cultivate your flow’: young people at the heart of the 2026 edition
The 2026 theme places the younger generations at the centre of the programme:
- The launch of an “Education, Training and Careers Hub” bringing together the full range of training courses and career opportunities in the agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors, as well as: 1 escape game, a CV and job vacancies board, and 1 app specially created to guide young people towards the training courses that best match their choices.
- The ‘Agriculteurs de Valeurs’ competition is being renamed ‘Jeunes Agriculteurs de Valeurs’ (candidates aged 40 or under), to be presented at the Agricultural Excellence Evening on 25 July
- Launch of Scale Me Up Agro, a new springboard for agri-tech start-ups (workshops, speed meetings with investors, pitch competitions, Test Arena), the result of a partnership with Mind & Market
From glass to plate: a stronger focus on local sourcing
For several years now, the Fair has been committed to promoting short supply chains, prioritising local and traceable sourcing.
In 2026, it is stepping up this initiative, in partnership with the “Collège des Producteurs” and the “Prix Juste”, “Pure Local” and “Table de Terroir” (Apaq-W) labels. This development will be particularly evident in the criteria for the brewing sector: for instance, all beers served at the Fair must be local in terms of the origin of their ingredients (regional barley), not just by name. The special brew ‘La 26’ is, incidentally, brewed using Belgian barley and malt!
Thanks to the partnership with the ‘En direct de mon élevage’ cooperative, dozens of livestock farmers will benefit from increased visibility and direct contact with the public. Other partners are also joining this initiative: Belgobio and Comijn, Bister (also celebrating its 100th anniversary!), Charles Liégeois, Delahaut, Chant d’Eole, D’Upigny, Fairebel and Véritable Lait d’Ardennes, Spa, E-Framz, Bevers & Bevers, … Finally, the Fair’s restaurants have been awarded the “Table de Terroir éphémère” label by Apaq-W.
