• Teaching

since 2012

Coordinator for Biodynamic Agriculture as a research assistant at the Department of Organic Agriculture and Crop Production at the University of Kassel, Witzenhausen site

2005-2007

Scientific assistant at the department of Biodynamic Agriculture at the University of Kassel location Witzenhausen

since 1999

Lectureship on "Biodynamic Agriculture and Horticulture" with 2 semester hours per week at the University of Bonn

1994-2012

Lectureships on "Biodynamic Crop Production" with 2 - 4 days of block teaching at the University of Kassel, Witzenhausen location

  • Studies

2000

Doctorate at the University of Bonn

1991-05/1994

Postgraduate studies in ecological environmental protection at the Uni-Kassel location Witzenhausen

1987-07/1990

Study of agricultural economics at the Uni-Kassel location Witzenhausen

  • Research

since 2019

Development of a stress storage test for cucumbers

since 2015

Effects of biodynamic preparations on soil properties

since 2002

Laboratory for image-creating methods at the Institute for Organic Agriculture at the University of Bonn Quality tests on coded samples: Comparison of conventional, organic and biodynamic cultivation.

04/2001-12/2001

Familiarization with the combined application of three image-creating methods for quality investigations on plant foodstuffs in the laboratory of Dr. Ursula Graf at FiBL in Switzerland

1995-2001

Continuation of the research on the biodynamic preparation Hornkiesel with field and pot trials at the Institute for Organic Agriculture at the University of Bonn

1994-1995

Examination of the biodynamic basics with the developed experimental questions 2nd part: Execution of field trials on the biodynamic preparation Hornkiesel at the Department of Organic Agriculture at the University of Kassel, Witzenhausen site

1993-1994

Examination of the biodynamic basics with the developed experimental questions 1st part: Chronobiological investigations on the influence of the synodic lunar rhythm on plant growth (Diploma 2)

1991 - 1993

Examination of the biodynamic basics on the basis of botanical phenomena in the literature (project work for diploma 2)

1989 - 1990

Literature work on the fundamentals of biodynamic agriculture (Diploma 1)

  • Agricultural practice

1990-1991

Member of a farm community near Frankfurt/Oder parallel to postgraduate studies in ecological environmental protection with the aim to combine research and practice

1986

State final examination as farmer

1983-1987

Four years of biodynamic training in Germany and Switzerland with graduation

1982-1983

Civilian service in agriculture

English

Dutch

French

  • Coordination of the research project with copper chloride crystallization"GESTE" with project partners from the Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture in Witzenhausen, Uni-Bonn, Research Ring in Darmstadt, Bolk Institute in the Netherlands, Biodynamic Research Association in Denmark, Hiscia Institute in Switzerland.
  • Influence of biodynamic preparations on soil parameters of experimental sites in France
  • Investigation of the vitality and chemical composition of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) from organic, biodynamic and conventional production systems (stress storage test with cucumbers and determination of secondary ingredients)
  • Influence of biodynamic preparations on microbiome properties in the soil - in the continuous fertilization trial Uni-Bonn, Uni-Geisenheim, Forschungsring e.V. and from 20 trial sites in France

  • Zeise J., Fritz J., Rodas Gaitán H., Rembiałkowska E., Kazimierczak R., Andersen J. O. (2024). Further evaluation of a new method to investigate antimicrobial, colour retainment and slice healing properties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) shows differences between conventional and organic production systems in inter-laboratory comparison trials. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2024.2353681

  • Felix Milke, Heberto Rodas-Gaitan, Georg Meissner, Vincent Masson, Meike Oltmanns, Morten Möller, Yvette Wohlfahrt, Boris Kulig, Alberto Acedo, Miriam Athmann, Jürgen Fritz, Enrichment of putative plant growth promoting microorganisms in biodynamic compared with organic agriculture soils, ISME Communications, Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2024, ycae021, https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycae021

  • Rodas‑Gaitan H., Fritz J., Dahn C., Köpke U., Rainer Georg Joergensen R.G. (2022): Biodynamic compost effects on soil parameters in a 27‑year long‑term field experiment. Chem. Biol. Technol. Agric. 9:74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-022-00344-w

  • Fritz J., Athmann M., Bornhütter R., Busscher N., Geier U., Mergardt G., Scherr C. Doesburg P. (2022): Analytical perception and kinaesthetic engagement in evaluation of copper chloride crystallization patterns of wheat, grape juice and rocket samples from conventional, organic and biodynamic cultivation. Chem. Biol. Technol. Agric. 9:103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-022-00361-9

  • Fritz J., Döring J., Athmann M., Meissner G., Kauer R., Schultz H.R. (2021): Wine quality under integrated, organic and biodynamic management using image forming methods and sensory analysis. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-021-00261-4
  • Juknevičienė E., Danilčenko H., Jarienė E., Živatkauskienė V., Zeise J., Fritz J. (2021): The effect of biodynamic preparations on growth and fruit quality of giant pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima D.). Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-021-00258-z
  • Doesburg P., Fritz J., Athmann M., Bornhütter R., Busscher N., Geier U., Mergardt G., Scherr C. (2021): Kinesthetic engagement in Gestalt evaluation outscores analytical 'atomic feature' evaluation in perceiving aging in crystallization images of agricultural products. PLoS ONE, 16(3): e0248124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248124

  • Fritz J., Lauer F., Wilkening A., Masson P., Peth S. (2021): Aggregate stability and visual evaluation of soil structure in biodynamic cultivation of Burgundy vineyard soils. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2021.1929480

  • Athmann M, Bornhütter R, Busscher N, Doesburg P, Geier U, Mergardt G, Scherr C, Köpke U, Fritz J (2021): An update on image forming methods: Structure analysis and Gestalt evaluation of images from rocket lettuce with shading, N supply, organic or mineral fertilization and biodynamic preparations. Organic Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-021-00347-1

  • Fritz J., Jannoura R., Lauer F., Schenk J., Masson P., Joergensen R. G. (2020): Functional microbial diversity responses to biodynamic management in Burgundian vineyard soils. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 36(3), 172-186, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2020.1762739
  • Fritz J., Athmann M., Meissner G., Kauer R., Schultz H.R. (2020): Quality assessment of grape juice from integrated, organic and biodynamic viticulture using image forming methods. OENO one, DOI: https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2020.54.2.2548
  • Brock C., Derkzen P., Fritz J., Spengler-Neff A., Florin J. M., Hurter U., Wahl V. (2019): Evolving Agriculture and Food - Opening up Biodynamic Research. Open Agricultur, 4: 803-804, doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2019-007
  • Brock C., Geier U., Greiner R., Olbricht-Majer M., Fritz J. (2019): Research in biodynamic food and farming - a review. Open Agricultur, 4: 743-757, https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2019-006
  • Juknevičienė, E., Danilčenko, H., Jarienė, E., Fritz, J. (2019): The effect of horn-manure preparation on enzymes activity and nutrient contents in soil as well as great pumpkin yield. Open Agric 4, 452-459, doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2019-0044
  • Meissner G., Athmann M., Fritz J., Kauer R., Stoll M., Schultz H.R. (2019): Conversion to organic and biodynamic viticultural practices: impact on soil, grapevine development and grape quality. OENO one. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2019.53.4.2403
  • Morau A., Piepho H.-P., Fritz J. (2019): Growth responses of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) to biodynamic cow manure preparation in a bioassay. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2019.1644668
  • Fritz, J., Athmann, M., Andersen, J.-O., Doesburg, P., Geier, U., Mergardt, G. (2018): Advanced panel training on visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization images: ranking wheat samples from different extract decomposition stages and different production systems. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2018.1492457
  • Fritz, J., Athmann, M., Meissner, G., Kauer, R., Köpke, U. (2017): Quality characterization via image forming methods differentiates grape juice produced from integrated, organic or biodynamic vineyards in the first year after conversion. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2017.1322003

  • Fritz J., Lauer F., Wilkening A., Masson P., Peth S. (2021): Effects of biodynamic management of vineyard soils in Burgundy on aggregate stability and visual evaluation of soil structure. 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021, Dornach, Switzerland.

  • Fritz J., Jannoura R., Lauer F., Schenk J., Masson P., Joergensen R.G. (2021): Response to biodynamic management in Burgundian vineyard soils on functional microbial diversity. 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021, Dornach, Switzerland.

  • Rodas Gaitán H.A., Fritz J. (2021): Investigations of vineyard soils in France with and without the application of biodynamic spray preparations. 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021, Dornach, Switzerland.

  • Rodas Gaitán H.A., Fritz J. (2021): Biodynamic compost effect on soil parameters in a long-term field experiment. 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021, Dornach, Switzerland.

  • Doesburg P., Fritz J., Bornhütter R., Geier U., Mergardt G., Scherr C., Buscher N., Athmann M. (2021): Kinesthetic engagement in the visual evaluation of copper chloride crystallization images. 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021, Dornach, Switzerland.

  • Athmann M., Bornhütter R., Busscher N., Doesburg P., Geier U., Mergardt G., Scherr C., Fritz J. (2020): An update on image forming methods: structure analysis and gestalt evaluation. IFOAM Conference

  • Fritz J. (2019): Quality assessment of plants from integrated, biological and biodynamic cultures using image forming methods. NIFSA Conference: New trends in Food safety and quality, 12-14 June 2019, Kaunas, Lithuania.

  • Fritz, J. (2018): Experimental results on the effect of the preparations. In: Preparations the heart of biodynamic agriculture. Documentation Agricultural Conference 7-11.2.2018, pp. 4-5.

  • Fritz, J., Athmann, M., Bornhütter, R., Doesburg, P., Mergardt, G. (2018): Visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization images - ranking wheat samples from different production systems. Evolving Agriculture and Food. September 5th to 8th 2018, Dornach/Switzerland.

  • Ramm, H., Scherr, C., Grazi, M, Fritz, J. (2018): Integrating biodynamic methods into elm mistletoe cultivation - effects on pharmaceutical products. Evolving Agriculture and Food. September 5th to 8th 2018, Dornach/Switzerland.

  • Morau, A., Fritz, J. (2017): Standardization of a cress test for the biodynamic horn manure preparation. In: Thinking ahead in organic farming - taking responsibility - strengthening trust. Contributions of the 14th Scientific Conference on Organic Farming, ed. Wolfrum, S., Heuwinkel, H., Reents, H.J. et al. Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin.

Publication of conference proceedings:

  • Bautze L., Brock C., Code J., Derkzen P., Fritz J., Hach, A., Peschke J., Ravenscroft N., Sharmila Dass R., Spengler-Neff A., Swann R., von Diest S., Wahl V., Wirz J., Wright J., Florin J.M. (2021). Growing beyond resilience. Contributions 2nd International Conference on Biodynamic Research. August 30th to September 2nd 2021. Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland; e-publication: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13nEn_1Z68sFo8EsIyAoVcdBuQqho1aA0/view?usp=sharing
  • Wahl V., Hach A., Sommer S., Derkzen P., Brock C., Fritz J., Spengler-Neff A., Hurter U., Florin J.-M. (2019): Evolving Agriculture and Food - Opening up Biodynamic Research. Contributions to the 1st International Conference on Biodynamic Research, September 5th to 8th 2018, Dornach, Switzerland; e-publication : www.sektion-landwirtschaft.org/en/thematic-areas/research/research-201
  • 27.03.2021: Bio.-dyn. introductory course North Germany - Online
  • 2.03.2021: Bio.-dyn. introductory course Darmstadt- Online
  • 27.01.2021: Bio.-dyn. introductory course Darmstadt - Online
  • 17.6.2020: Bio.-dyn. consulting Ulm- Webinar
  • 29.10.2019: BLE Knowledge Tranfer - Booking
  • 10/28/2019: BLE Knowledge Tranfer - Augsburg
  • 18.7.2019: Uni Geisenheim - Geisenheim
  • 24.6.2019: Introduction Demeter viticulture - Odinstal
  • 6/18/2019: NIFSA Meeting - Kaunas/Lithuania
  • 8.4.2019: BLE Knowledge Stranfer - Heilbronn
  • 26.2.2019: BLE Knowledge Transfer - Chiemgau
  • 18.1.2019: Ecovin introductory course - Ebernburg
  • 5.1.2019: Boku training course - Vienna
  • 8.11.2018: BLE knowledge transfer - Heilbronn
  • 6.9.2018: Bio.-Dyn. scientific conference - Dornach/Switzerland
  • 6.6.2018: Rhine Falls Castle - Switzerland
  • 15.4.2018: Farmer's Branch - Dornach/Switzerland
  • 2.3.2018: Ecovin Jungwinzertagung - Bad Dürrheim.
  • 7.2.2018: Agricultural Conference Dornach/Switzerland.
  • 27.1.2018: Seed Conference Future Foundation Agriculture - Kassel.
  • 2.12.2017: Boku training course - Vienna.
  • 12.7.2017: IBLA Consulting organic viticulture - Luxembourg.
  • 19.1.2017: Ecovin conference - Oberwesel.
  • 11.1.2017: Demeter Winter Conference - Munster/France
  • Member of the advisory board for the permanent fertilization trial IN-Bio-Dyn at the University of Geisenheim
  • Member of the advisory board for the continuous fertilization trial in Darmstadt Oberfeldhof and Dottenfelderhof
  • Supervisory Board Forschungsring e.V. Darmstadt
  • Member of the Board of Trustees of Zukunftsstiftung Landwirtschaft Bochum

Winter term:

Summer Semester:

  • Agricultural School Dottenfelderhof
  • Uni-Geisenheim
  • Research ring e.V. Darmstadt
  • Uni-Warsaw