In line with the motto ‘Sharing the harvest’, producers and consumers have joined forces to form an economic community at SoLaWi Kleve. The basic idea is that members, also known as harvest sharers, pay a monthly membership fee and receive weekly vegetables, which can be picked up on harvest day at predefined locations. Thus, the association guarantees the purchase of the field yields and takes over the pre-financing of production. For Andreas Münnig, the vegetable gardener responsible for SoLaWi Kleve, this brings several advantages: he has planning security, shares the risk and receives a secure income.Unter dem Motto „Die Ernte teilen“ haben sich bei der SoLaWi Kleve Erzeugende und Konsument*innen zu einer Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft zusammengeschlossen. Der Grundgedanke: Die Mitglieder, auch Ernteteilende genannt, zahlen einen monatlichen Mitgliedsbeitrag und erhalten wöchentlich Gemüse, das am Erntetag an vorab definierten Orten abgeholt werden kann. So garantiert der Verein die Abnahme der Felderträge und übernimmt die Vorfinanzierung der Erzeugung. Für Andreas Münnig, verantwortlicher Gemüsegärtner der SoLaWi Kleve, ergeben sich dadurch mehrere Vorteile: Er hat Planungssicherheit, teilt das Risiko und erhält ein gesichertes Einkommen.
Field
The farm is located on a piece of land leased on a long-term basis from the city of Kleve. The area on the outskirts of Rindern covers around 7,300 m². It contains 10 outdoor beds. Two foil tunnels, each 30 m long, have also been erected. In addition, there is an open space for growing Hokkaido pumpkins. A small shelter for tools is still needed. A well has already been drilled. Now an irrigation system is needed to avoid having to water the entire field by hand. This is a big investment for the still young association. The prize money from the Klever Birne would be well spent on this.
Vegetables
The cultivation of vegetables is determined in advance with the members. Various types of vegetables are available, ranging from lettuce, cabbage, and squash to carrots, beets, peas, radishes, aubergines, and tomatoes. A table on the website provides information about the planned harvests by calendar week.
Agriculture
SoLaWi Kleve works in a natural, efficient and regenerative way. Different types of vegetables grow close together in permanent beds. There is no use of heavy machinery, intensive tillage, pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. Instead, manual labour is required. The rewards include humus formation, CO2 binding, clean groundwater and increased biodiversity.
Community
‘SoLaWi Kleve combines ecological, social and economic sustainability. It is more than just an agricultural model, as it also focuses on creating a fairer and more sustainable society.’
The members of SoLaWi Kleve are actively involved, whether in planning the growing season or actively working in the fields. Since SoLaWi Kleve’s focus is not on profit but on social equity and economic resilience, a solidarity-based financing model enables people with lower incomes to participate. They can contribute with smaller payments or by working on the farm.
Curious? View individual introductions to this year’s finalists here on our website or on our social media channels in the coming weeks leading up to the Klever Birne award ceremony on 11 September 2025 and find out more. Admission to the award ceremony is free of charge, but registration is requested.
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