4. July 2022

Öko-Feldtage: Innovative power for the future

The Öko-Feldtage in Villmar-Aumenau from June 28 to 30 showcased the innovative power and diversity of organic farming. 11,500 visitors were able to experience what the sector has to offer on over 20 hectares. The highlights of the event: the research barn, the agroforestry systems and machine demonstrations.

In ideal weather, over 11,500 visitors made their way to the Hessian state domain Gladbacherhof. Organic farmers and those who want to become one got a wealth of ideas for their daily work here. Among the guests were numerous students and trainees from Germany and abroad, as well as a growing number of conventional colleagues who are interested in sustainable agriculture. “The atmosphere at the Öko-Feldtage was as indescribable as the bright blue sky: we were finally able to meet again and exchange ideas and network on the latest developments in research and policy in the organic sector,” says Tina Andres, Chair of the BÖLW Board, adding: “The joy was just as palpable. And also a great concentration on the challenges of the present and future – solution-oriented, energetic, clear and focused. Combined with the will to ecologically transform the food industry.”
Climate and dealing with extreme weather conditions were a key topic at the Öko-Feldtage 2022. For example, agroforestry systems planted on grassland and arable land are intended to reduce erosion damage, increase carbon storage and increase biodiversity on the land. The scientists are researching these ecosystem services as well as the effects on yield. In the research barn, highly automated technology supports the scientists in developing the livestock farming of the future. This is both ecologically and economically sustainable and enables a high level of animal welfare.

Professional technology

Visitor numbers were particularly high for the machine demonstrations, new developments and panel discussions on the future of agriculture. Many camera- and GPS-guided hoes were the focus of interest. Other highlights of the field days were the numerous demo plots of the exhibitors, a trial on vegetable cultivation in mulch and the national variety trials on winter wheat and soybeans.
“I am delighted with the great success of the Öko-Feldtage 2022 and hope that many farmers will take advantage of the good impetus for climate-friendly, ecological and crisis-proof agriculture,” summarizes Hessian Agriculture Minister Priska Hinz. Her ministry once again supported the event financially in 2022 as part of the Eco Action Plan.

Further information and press photos in the digital press kit.

Comments on the Öko-Feldtage

Carsten Veller, Projekt Lead of the Öko-Feldtage: “I am delighted with how well the concept of the Öko-Feldtage was adapted to the Gladbacherhof. It was a mammoth task to adapt the traffic routing, the machine demonstrations and the stand planning to the sloping terrain. But the majority of organic farmers have such conditions in their everyday lives. That’s why this location was just right.”

Professor Andreas Gattinger, Scientific Director of the Gladbacherhof: “This was a great opportunity for us to present our work to a wide audience. As a scientist, university lecturer and farmer, I am particularly pleased that we were able to discuss many of our measures for climate-friendly and resilient agriculture with practitioners on site: In the barn, in the field and in the panel discussions at the forums.”

Jonathan Kern, consultant at Bioland, presenter of machine demonstrations: “I’m always amazed at how inventive farmers are. A few days before the demonstration, two tinkerers got together and spontaneously entered into a cooperation: To combine the newly developed camera and control system of the Photoheyler with the Leibing sickle hoe. I was surprised by the enormous interest of the visitors in the resource-saving green fodder recovery.”

Steffen Reese, Managing Director of Naturland, exhibitor: “We experienced and were responsible for successful, very successful, very good Öko-Feldtage! The event was a demonstration of the organic sector to politicians and the public, but it was also an internal organic showcase – for example of breeding. It was a reunion in the midst of a more relaxed and at the same time tense pandemic situation. It was a way for organic farmers and their partners in the value chain to reassure themselves, and it was a way for organic farming associations to retain their members.”

Jakob Hagemann, Treffler Maschinenbau, exhibitor: “It would have been even better for us with more machine demonstrations, but I understand that this is difficult at this location. We are very satisfied with the clientele at our stand and make great use of the Öko-Feldtage to exchange ideas: personally and professionally, with (new) customers, but also with politicians, associations and scientists.”

Marcus Wewer, Head of Quality Management Organic Own Brands REWE, Gold Sponsor: “Participating in the Öko-Feldtage was new territory for us. We achieved what we had hoped to achieve: To enter into dialog with organic farmers and food processors. Within the Group, we wanted to show our employees the current state of organic farming. There were a lot of people from a wide variety of areas and from all over Germany in Villmar. They now have completely new images of organic farming: they understand the importance, the professionalism and also the work behind it.”

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Hessian Agriculture Minister Priska Hinz and Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir took a look at eco-innovations during the subsequent tour. Photo: Marzena Seidel

Caption

The machine demonstrations are a highlight of the Öko-Feldtage. Photo: Marzena Seidel