Agroforestry Systems Hesse I

Piloting a cultivation system for the further development of organic farming

Challenges

Extreme weather events in recent years have shown that major yield losses and severe erosion events must also be expected on organic farms in Hesse in the face of climate change. Further development of existing organic farming systems towards greater resilience is urgently needed to make farming resilient to changing climatic conditions. Agroforestry systems have great potential in this respect due to their far-reaching ecosystem services. They should become an integral part of future agricultural funding. It is therefore essential to have functioning practical examples and accompanying research.

Aims

Development of the current state of knowledge of the ecological and economic performance of agroforestry systems for the Central European climate region.
Establishment of a long-term agroforestry trial in Hesse and development of the research infrastructure for the development of agroforestry systems in Hesse.
Measuring the ecological and economic performance of agroforestry systems in long-term trials.
Contributions to the development of remuneration systems for climate protection services using the example of agroforestry systems.
Improvement of the funding framework: Development of recommendations for the inclusion of agroforestry systems in agricultural subsidies.

Implementation

As part of the project, three agroforestry systems will be established for practice-oriented research at the Gladbacherhof. Both arable (silvoarable) and grassland-based (silvopastoral) systems are being investigated. In the long-term field trials, important ecosystem services (soil quality, water protection, biodiversity, climate protection and adaptation) as well as agronomic and economic parameters are systematically recorded. In addition to basic research, the project primarily aims to transfer knowledge into practice, consulting and administration. This is also ensured by the establishment of a broad-based project advisory board.

Main coordinators

Professorship of Organic Farming

Prof. Dr. Andreas Gattinger
Dr. Philipp Weckenbrock (Philipp.Weckenbrock@agrar.uni-giessen.de)
Eva-Maria Minarsch (Eva-Maria.Minarsch)

Professorship of Landscape, Water and Biogeochemical Cycles

Prof. Dr. Lutz Breuer
Dr. Karolina Golicz

Project Advisory Board

Sepp Braun, organic farmer in Freising, Baveria, with long-term agroforestry experience
Mareike Jäger, agroforestry expert at the Institute for Environment and Natural Resources at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Burkhard Kayser, freelance consultant and agroforestry expert
Anett-Christin Hochheim, head of the Office for Rural Areas, Environment, Veterinary Affairs and Consumer Protection, district of Limburg-Weilburg
Dr. Ute Williges, Hesse State Farm (LLH)
Nikola Lenz, Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (HMUKLV)
Dr. Joachim Milz, long-term experience with successional agroforestry systems in practice and consulting