WALNUT AGROFORST: NEW COOPERATION WITH THE HAARTZ FAMILY FROM HOF BIRGEL

At the beginning of the year, Pia Haartz, a student of sustainable regional development at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, and her family planted a walnut agroforestry system on almost two hectares. Our Agroforst Reallabor team also took part in the joint planting campaign. Pia Haartz from Hof Birgel signed a cooperation agreement during a site visit.

‘As I’m currently still studying for a Master’s degree myself and benefit enormously from the university’s links to practice, I simply know the value of this kind of collaboration,’ says Pia Haartz about the newly concluded cooperation. Our Agroforestry Living Laboratory team co-operates with the Haartz family as private individuals, Pia Haartz being the contact person. The contacts in the region are very valuable for the further development of the farm. Pia Haartz goes on to emphasise: ‘I believe that sharing experience, knowledge and participation are the cornerstones of a transformation of the agricultural system.’

The new walnut agroforestry area on the Lower Rhine is home to over 60 trees of different walnut varieties. The family decided in favour of walnut trees because they had already had good experiences with walnut trees in the driveway. The care of walnut trees is also less labour-intensive in the first few years compared to fruit trees. The advantage for the family is that the arable status of the land is retained. This means that if there is no one in the next generation who shares the enthusiasm for agroforestry systems, the trees can be removed again. This leaves plenty of room for manoeuvre.

In future, the agroforestry system is to be supplemented by a 700 m² hazelnut grove. In her master’s thesis, Pia Haartz is also developing a concept for educational programmes on agricultural topics, which will also include agroforestry systems.

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Cover photo: © HSRW/Florian Gaisrucker