From June 28 to 30, 2022, the Organic Field Days will showcase everything that organic farming has to offer at the Hessian State Domain Gladbacherhof in Villmar. Farmers can find out all about innovations in agricultural technology, plant cultivation, animal husbandry and research on the University of Giessen’s experimental farm.
“After more than two years of ‘abstinence’ from major events, the entire sector is eagerly awaiting the Eco Field Days,” says project manager Carsten Veller. The event is fully booked to the last seat. Over 300 companies, associations and organizations have registered. They will be presenting seeds, varieties, agricultural technology, farm inputs, animal feed, stable construction, advisory services and much more. In order to spread the flow of visitors, the meeting place for organic farming has been extended to three days. “With Cem Özdemir, Priska Hinz and Peter Hauck, the first federal and state ministers have been announced and further talks are underway,” explains Veller. He attributes the great response from the entire industry to the fact that the new German government has set a target of 30% organic farming by 2030. “Concepts now need to be created quickly as to how organic farming can achieve this level of growth. The Organic Field Days offer an opportunity to exchange ideas at all levels,” says Veller.
Diverse program
From the outset, the event has been designed in such a way that its focus is always adapted to the respective location. This year, they are taking place for the first time at the Gladbacherhof organic mixed farm in a typical low mountain range location in the northern Taunus. “This is a major challenge in terms of transportation. But the slopes in particular make the farm exciting for many farmers who have to deal with similar conditions,” Veller is convinced. The farm’s climate-resilient measures, which are clearly explained on a climate tour, are also interesting. Together with scientists, farm manager Johannes Eisert is testing how they react to extremes such as heavy rain and drought with adapted crop rotations and varieties, different tillage, agroforestry and mulch application.
“Visitors can also get an impression of the latest technology in the field of hoeing, mowing and swathing technology in machine demonstrations. We will also be presenting prototypes and new developments: From selectively programmable weed robots and solar-powered tractors to the automated collection of potato beetles, we will be showcasing many innovations,” says Veller. Current findings on the challenges of organic farming will be presented and discussed in five forums. Visitors can view numerous crops from field beans to sugar beet on 1,500 demo plots. In addition to the varied specialist program, the Öko-Feldtage are known for their evening cultural events with regional bands and organic culinary delights.
More information
The program of the Organic Field Days will showcase new developments in organic crop production and animal husbandry in a mixture of practice and research. Visitors can see 25 machines for hoeing and forage harvesting in practical use. 20 examples of innovation will show prototypes and new developments. Climate is a key topic at the Eco-Field Days 2022. For example, employees from the University of Giessen will be demonstrating the benefits of agroforestry areas for climate adaptation.
The latest findings on challenges such as organic breeding, carbon farming and animal welfare will be presented and discussed in forums. 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. In the area surrounding the new research barn, exhibitors will present themselves on the topic of animal husbandry and the Animal Forum. Topics include intensity levels in organic milk production, 100% organic feed, livestock farming of the future and the coexistence of wolves and grazing animals. Every day, visitors can also choose from numerous guided tours on the Green Dairy research project in new barn construction, land variety trials, agroforestry, organic compost, fodder production and more.
Hessische Staatsdomäne Gladbacherhof: An ideal venue for events
The main focus of the 190-hectare farm is the production of seed (grain) and milk production. 110 hectares are farmed as arable land and 75 hectares as permanent grassland. The aim in animal husbandry is to produce productive, long-lived 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.
Organization & organizer
The strong team of partners organizes the 2022 event in largely proven cooperation. FiBL Projekte GmbH organizes the Organic Field Days. 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 will once again support the event financially in 2022 as part of the Eco Action Plan. The REWE Group is a gold sponsor of the Eco-Field Days 2022.
The third Eco-Field Days take place at the Hessian state domain Gladbacherhof.
A new research barn with fully automated technology is currently under construction and will be presented to visitors to the Eco-Field Days, including the Green Dairy research project.