Öko-Feldtage (Organic Field Days) 2022
From June 28 to June 30 2022 the third national Organic Field Days will be held at the Gladbacherhof (agricultural holding of the Hessian State) near the town of Villmar, where the University of Gießen operates its institute for research and experiments in organic agriculture.
The Organic Field Days provide a unique combination of practice and research in organic agriculture and animal husbandry. The biennial event exhibits innovations and discusses current topics with farmers and representatives from politics and business.
The first and the second editions of the Organic Field Days took place in 2017 and 2019. Motivated by the overwhelming success of these events the well-established cooperation of partners behind the project will continue their work in 2022. The FiBL Projekte GmbH is the organiser of the Organic Field Days 2022 and is supported by its co-organisers – the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture, the University of Gießen with the Gladbacherhof and the Foundation for Ecology and Agriculture (SÖL).
The Öko-Feltage as a platform
The nationwide Öko-Feldtage (“Organic Field Days”) are a two-day meeting point for organically working farmers as well as all farmers interested in new methods for environmentally friendly agriculture. The event offers an ideal platform where current topics can be discussed with practitioners and representatives from politics and economy. The so called innovation show demonstrates the current state of organic farming and where it is heading.
Visitors can get a broad picture about innovations in agricultural technology, plant cultivation, animal husbandry and research. Companies, associations and organisations present seeds, crop varieties, agricultural technology, inputs, animal feed, stable constructions, consultancy services and much more. Unlike “classic” field days in Germany, the Organic Field Days include perspectives on livestock farming and animal husbandry. Combined in circular economy systems these are important components of organic agriculture. The Organic Field Days provide perspectives on the entire system of organic farming with innovative operating concepts, cultivation systems and modern animal husbandry in all its diversity. The 2019 two-day event was attended by 11.000 visitors. One third of the visiting farmers worked in the conventional sector.
Latest news on organic farming
The program of the Öko-Feldtage presents the perfect mixture of practice and research and all the latest news on organic farming. The latest agricultural technology is on display in numerous machine demonstrations of hoes, harrows, rakes, GPS and camera-guided machines.
Many innovation examples show present prototypes and new developments. The latest findings on challenges such as the climate crisis, eco-breeding and animal welfare are discussed in forums by scientists and practitioners. In 2019, companies, breeders, consultants and universities presented over 70 crops reaching from field beans to sugar beet and organic farming inputs on 1,200 demonstration plots. Delicious culinary delights from regional organic caterers, live music and several opportunities for networking complete the program.
Evaluation of the Öko-Feldtage 2019
Led by Dr. Benedict Jahnke, students of the University of Kassel questioned 564 visitors and 156 exhibitors about their experience at the Organic Field Days 2019. 96 % of visitors as well as 8 % of exhibitors are content and up to very content with the event. More than half of the visitors are farmers, of whom more than half (55%) are organic farmers. The number of conventionally farming colleagues is rising compared to the premiere in 2017 and is about one third. The proportion of visitors who want to convert their farm remains roughly the same at 11%. Of the 90 conventional farmers questioned, 40% are interested in a conversion, 31% are undecided and 29% do not want to convert to organic farming. Besides farmers, representatives of associations and organisations and students make up the largest group of visitors.
First Öko-Feldtage at the Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen
On 21 and 22 June 2017, more than 8000 visitors attended the first ever nationwide Öko-Feldtage in Germany. Our Video shows the special atmosphere.