AnpaG project - agricultural experimentation and advisory services strengthened

Collegial counselling and field trials in organic farming will be strengthened with the new project "Gemeinsam packen wir es an. Gruppenberatung in der Landwirtschaft" (AnpaG) (Group advisory services in agriculture) will be strengthened in Brandenburg from May 2023. Advisory groups on the topics of "Mechanical weed control in arable farming", "Yield stability in grassland and forage", "Organic vegetable cultivation" and "Organic potato cultivation" will begin their work to jointly develop solutions to their challenges.

The AnpaG project is being carried out by the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (lead partner) together with the Fördergemeinschaft Ökologischer Landbau Berlin/Brandenburg (FÖL), the Institute for Food and Environmental Research (ILU) and three farms, supported by the state of Brandenburg and co-financed with EU funds.

Project "AnpaG" — Organic Potato Field Day Brandenburg Field inspection with potato consultant Christian Landzettel. Event organised by Bioland Landesverband Ost e.V. in cooperation with the EIP project Regional Organic Vegetables from Brandenburg at the Klass organic farm in Trebbin

Collegial group counselling in four subject areas

From May, interested farmers can work together in collegial advisory groups on the topics mentioned. The focus is on the resource "farmers' experience and knowledge". At "farm meetings", the farmers get to know the working practices and challenges of their colleagues. Together, they develop optimisation strategies and solutions for the host farm. This generates new ideas for their own farm. Practical trials are also planned for the AnpaG arable farming and potato groups to test the ideas that emerge from the peer counselling process.

Farm manager Johann Gerdes from Beerfelder Hof has already gained valuable experience with the format. "You learn so much from the group and the combined expertise of your colleagues. Brandenburg is a difficult location for agriculture, where conventional advice and expert opinions don't always translate into good yields. And then it's also good to hear that farms in the neighbourhood or region are doing similarly. Tackling these challenges in a group therefore makes all the more sense," he adds.

Support for the groups from trained advisors

Interested counsellors are responsible for the technical and methodological support of the AnpaG groups. Since Monday, they have been able to apply to become group counsellors via the Brandenburg state platform. The selected counsellors will then be methodically prepared for their role and tasks in April/May.

Strengthening the visibility of field trials and advice on organic farming in Brandenburg

The AnpaG project also offers new guidance for those seeking information on organic farming in Brandenburg. The services of the state-wide field trial system and the education and advisory landscape will become more visible in the near future. A new website bundles information on relevant activities in Brandenburg.

Expressions of interest from farmers and advisors for participation in the AnpaG groups are welcome.

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