Praxisforschungsnetzwerk für den Ökologischen Land- und Gemüsebau - PFN Hessen

Living Lab

In this network, people from practice, extension and research are partners at eye level. Together we work on questions and topics related to the practice of organic agriculture and develop research projects with and for the practice.

Our aim is to develop and establish practical innovations through joint research projects that will further develop organic farming for the future.

Short background information

The development and establishment of the PFN Hessen is part of the Organic Action Plan Hessen 2020-2025 and is funded by the Hessian Ministry of the Environment (HMUKLV). The Association of Organic Farming in Hessen (VÖL) e.V. is the network's project management organisation and has been coordinating the establishment of the network since 2021.

Activities and Achievements

Currently, more than 20 organic farmers, advisors from organic farming associations, the State Office of Agriculture Hesse and researchers from various Hessian research institutions and the network coordinators are part of PFN Hessen. At regular meetings we exchange ideas, discuss, and learn from and with each other to work together as equals in a dynamic network structure. Experts from practice, extension, and research work together in three project groups (pig, arable and vegetable farming) in a participatory process and develop projects and implement them together. More project groups are planned for the future.

Current Projects

Arable farming: Influence of three tillage methods and different catch crop mixtures on humus build-up and nitrogen retention in the soil-plant system.
Vegetable Farming: Effect of compost or manure in combination with catch crops on soil water holding capacity and humus build-up.

Cooperation

The “Netzwerke Ökokompost Hessen” (NÖK) is a four-year start-up project of the Organic Action Plan Hessen 2020-2025. It serves the sustainable networking of stakeholders for the production and application of quality-assured biowaste and green waste composts in organic agriculture at all levels.

Methods and tools

A good organisational structure of the 5 groups of actors is of great importance for the successful establishment of the practice research network: VÖL coordinates the participatory cooperation of farmers, extension and research (represented by the universities) in coordination with the funders. Regular project group work and professional exchange of all network members and external experts as well as regular feedback and knowledge loops and evaluations are important components of this co-creative network.

"I am part of the PFN because I have been doing new experiments in the field and in the barn every year for 25 years, and now I finally have the chance to do this with scientific support and evaluation in a network. I want to analyze problems with professional colleagues and work out solutions together. This cooperation motivates me, and it is appreciated that we contribute to gaining new knowledge for future colleagues and society to shape sustainable agriculture.” (C. Weber)

PFN-Team for Agroecology!