Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hörning
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Consulting and research for species-appropriate animal husbandry
I am closely connected to the Witzenhausen department both through my studies (1984-1991) and as a former employee (1993-2005).
In the course of the increasing social debate about environmental problems (forest dieback, ozone hole, nuclear power) from the 1970s onwards, interest in alternatives to conventional agriculture also grew. In the early 1980s, however, organic farming was still a tender plant; there were only about a thousand organic farms and only a few organic associations, and the EU organic regulation did not come into effect until 1991.
Full lecture halls in the 1980s
The first professorship for organic agriculture established in Witzenhausen in 1981 motivated many to study in Witzenhausen. Thus, we were a colorful mix of "ecos," "internationals," and the classic farm followers. The study conditions were different from today. There were 220 of us in the class, so the lecture halls were often overcrowded. Lectures dominated as a form of teaching. The teaching content in the basic studies was very conventional, and there were sometimes heated discussions with the professors.
Therefore, I hesitated for a long time whether I should finish my studies and tried to motivate myself with electives. The turning point came with the internship in the 5th semester. I completed it at the Association for Independent Regional Development. The VER advisors helped farms that were interested in income alternatives that were very rare at the time, such as on-farm processing, direct marketing, or alternative energy. Newly motivated, I then went on to major in animal production, where there were also other forms of learning. I remember the conversion exercises, which were supervised by Prof. Vogtmann's staff, and the seminar on animal production, where our presentations were discussed by the three animal professors Biedermann, Boehncke and Burgstaller. In my main studies I found my own focus of interest, the species-appropriate animal husbandry (project and diploma thesis, foundation of a student working group).
From consulting to research
Following my studies, I therefore helped to set up a consulting office in 1989, the Beratung Artgerechte Tierhaltung (BAT). We advised farmers nationwide on barn conversion, gave lectures and participated in various projects. In the course of a book project on species-appropriate chicken husbandry, we got to know Dr. Detlef Fölsch from the ETH Zurich. In 1993 I was able to become a research associate at his new chair in Witzenhausen. Due to my postgraduate studies in ecological environmental protection I was authorized to do a doctorate. The beginning of Prof. Fölsch in 1993 was also the starting point for the new major in organic agriculture. During my work at the then called GhK (Gesamthochschule Kassel) I participated in committees for the development of the study courses, the department and the experimental farm Frankenhausen. In research I was mainly concerned with alternative housing systems (e.g. littered housing systems for cattle or pigs, runs for laying hens).
With the expiration of my qualification positions, the announcement of an animal professorship in the new course of studies on organic agriculture at the University of Applied Sciences in Eberswalde came just in time, which I was able to fill in 2005. In teaching, I had to deal with more topics than before, but this also made cross-references visible. In research, I continue to work on species-appropriate husbandry systems (e.g. mobile housing for chickens), and increasingly also on alternatives in animal husbandry (e.g. slower-growing chickens, dual-purpose chickens). A network of partner organic farms ensures practical relevance.
What I remember positively about studying agriculture in Witzenhausen (in addition to the strong practical relevance) is that, despite the compulsory program, there was enough freedom to try things out and find my own areas of interest. As an employee, I benefited from trying out alternative forms of learning. All in all, I look back fondly on my long time in Witzenhausen and find my way to the beautiful Werratal every now and then.
Comments
Hubert Weissmantel: It is nice that you mention the Association for Independent Regional Development in Hesse in your report. This approach was systematically rejected by the politicians from 1987 on (by the way also by the Hessian Greens from the beginning of the 90s) and also the extra-parliamentary actors did not have the strength to demand an "independent" development for the rural area. Thus it remained and remains with piecework--here a little EuFörderung with leader, there ecological agriculture, elsewhere village renewal programs etc. everything beautifully politically under control and which DEVELOPMENT could mean or be--is defined over national promotion programs and is interspersed. Many greetings from a former regional consultant from your internship time