FiBL Projekte GmbH is responding proactively to the unclear coronavirus situation next year and is extending the Organic Field Days by one day in order to better manage the flow of visitors. The current date: June 22 to 24, 2021 at the Hessian state domain Gladbacherhof in Villmar.
The third Organic Field Days will take place at a new location, the Hessian State Domain Gladbacherhof, a teaching and experimental farm of Justus Liebig University Giessen. “We are expecting even more visitors than in previous years. People finally want to see each other live again, as all important agricultural events were canceled or moved online during the winter months due to coronavirus,” says project manager Carsten Veller from FiBL Projekte GmbH. He assumes that the coronavirus situation will look better again in summer 2021 and that the Organic Field Days can take place as planned at the Gladbacherhof on June 22-24, 2021. The conditions are good: exhibition and trial areas will be presented on a spacious site of almost 20 hectares. There is a hygiene concept for all program items and the route guidance, which will be adapted depending on the situation.
Already 140 registrations
“We are very pleased with the number of registrations, as there is a great deal of uncertainty among all companies. However, the cooperation of all co-organizers and sponsors (BejoSamen, Deutsche Saatveredelung, Rentenbank and dennree) and the commitment of all exhibitors are helping us to overcome these challenges,” says project manager Veller. There are currently 140 exhibitors registered. “That is more than we expected at this stage and we are receiving a lot of positive feedback from exhibitors and industry players,” says Veller happily. “We welcome the extension of the Eco Field Days by one day, as the number of visitors in 2019 was already very high and interest in the sector continues to grow,” commented Laura Tebbe from agricultural machinery manufacturer Amazone, for example.
The stand areas in and in front of the exhibition hall are fully booked. Stand areas without demonstration plots in the outdoor area can still be booked, as well as machine demonstrations on the topics of harrowing technology, chopping technology and forage harvesting (mowing technology, swathing technology). The deadline for registration is December 31, 2020 and stand numbers will be allocated in the first quarter of next year.
More information
The program of the Organic Field Days offers a mixture of practice and research in organic crop production and animal husbandry. In numerous demonstrations, visitors can see many machines in practical use. Innovation examples show prototypes and new developments. One of the main topics at the 2021 Organic Field Days is climate, which will be the subject of a trail with around ten stations. For example, employees from the University of Giessen will demonstrate the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions in field trials. On an agroforestry area, experts will explain how deep-rooted trees and shrubs can reduce soil erosion on steep slopes. Topic in animal husbandry: area-based animal husbandry and the clever integration of crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
The latest findings on challenges such as organic breeding and animal welfare will be covered in forums and discussed by scientists and practitioners. Companies, breeders and consultants will also be presenting crops ranging from field beans to sugar beet and inputs for organic farming on numerous demo plots. Exhibitors on the subject of animal husbandry and the Animal Forum Stable Talks will be presenting themselves in the new research barn. A cultural program and culinary, regional delicacies in organic quality round off the program.
Hessische Staatsdomäne Gladbacherhof: An ideal venue for events
The main focus of the 190-hectare farm is the production of seed (cereals) and milk production. 110 hectares are farmed as arable land and 75 hectares as permanent grassland. The aim of milk production (90 black and white dairy cows) is to optimize the lifetime performance of the animals instead of short-term peak performance. Research activities focus on the resilience of agricultural systems, such as the optimization of crop rotation and soil cultivation in organic farming. Climate protection and adaptation through agroforestry, humus effects of grain legumes and mulch systems, variety trials and improved milk production systems are further focal points. The University of Giessen has planted agroforestry areas on the Gladbacherhof farm in order to focus on the topics of climate adaptation, humus formation and resilient agricultural systems at the 2021 Organic Field Days.
Organization & organizer
The strong team of partners is organizing the 2021 event in largely proven cooperation. FiBL Projekte GmbH is the organizer. Co-organizers are the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Justus Liebig University Giessen with the Hessian State Domain Gladbacherhof as well as the Hessian State Farm and the Foundation for Ecology and Agriculture. The BÖLW is the patron of the event. The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture is once again supporting the event financially in 2021 as part of the Eco Action Plan.
The third Organic Field Days will take place at a new location, the Hessian State Domain Gladbacherhof, a teaching and experimental farm of Justus Liebig University Giessen. Photo: Heinrich Herberlein