Trees help in agriculture

Agriculture is particularly affected by climate change. At the same time, it itself produces large quantities of greenhouse gases. One way of overcoming this conflict is agroforestry: here, trees, shrubs and agricultural crops are combined on one area, which not only has a positive impact on the climate, but also promotes soil fertility. Three graduates from the University of Kassel are experts in this field. With their company Triebwerk, they have specialized in the planning of such agroforestry systems.

"New, sustainable land use concepts are needed to counter the crises of the future," explains Christoph Meixner, who founded Triebwerk together with Nicolas Haack and Janos Wack. All three studied organic farming in Witzenhausen and quickly realized that the future lies in regenerative systems: The future lies in regenerative systems. "Our vision is a productive and multifunctional agriculture with positive effects on climate, soil, biodiversity, water and society."

This can work, for example, by planting strips of trees and shrubs on arable land. These provide shade and protection from the wind, offer a habitat for many species and, with their deep roots, draw water and nutrients from deeper layers than arable or grassland crops.

Agroforestry also makes sense in combination with animal husbandry, as the "chicken forage forest" concept developed by Triebwerk shows. Here, chickens live among fruit and nut trees: an animal welfare-optimized husbandry system that focuses on groundwater protection while producing eggs, meat and tree fruits.

"Of course, there is no standard concept. Every farm has different requirements and possibilities," says Christoph Meixner.

Triebwerk's core task is therefore to advise and plan individual agroforestry systems - from site analysis and plant selection to clarifying financial and legal issues.

Triebwerk is also conducting practical research into the effects of the interaction between woody plants and arable crops. At the Werragut organic farm in Eschwege, the agronomists have created a twelve-hectare, diverse agroforestry system in cooperation with the ReSoLa association. More than 1000 woody plants and 90 varieties grow here on arable and grassland areas, including crops such as mulberry, fig and sweet chestnut.

For the company, this pioneering project provides valuable insights into innovative approaches to regenerative agriculture.

The benefits of agroforestry systems are still too little known, say the Triebwerk founders. This is why education is another important part of their concept.

Among other things, they are part of the team of lecturers at the University of Kassel in Witzenhausen, where they offer several modules on regenerative agriculture. They also train planners themselves and are in demand as speakers throughout Germany.

The considerable network of partner companies that Christoph Meixner, Nicolas Haack and Janos Wack have built up over the past few years is also likely to contribute to the popularity of sustainable agricultural systems.

They are just as active in the German Association for Agroforestry as they are in the Farm Food Climate network, whose members are committed to sustainable food and agriculture.

This article appeared in the university magazine publik. Text: Pamela De Filippo