Children’s University sparks curiosity about environmental issues
The Agroforestry Summer Week began on 3 June with a talk at the Children’s University of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW). Anna-Lea Ortmann, a PhD student at the TransRegINT project’s Agroforestry Real-World Laboratory, captivated her audience – aged between 8 and 12 – by explaining the basics of sustainable agriculture in a clear and engaging way. She placed particular emphasis on the innovative concept of agroforestry. This laid the foundations for raising children’s awareness of sustainable agriculture from an early age and sparking their curiosity about environmental issues.
Tree rally offers hands-on experience
The tree rally, which took place over two days at the Kleve Forest Garden, was aimed at students from Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences studying for Bachelor’s degrees in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture. The Forest Garden in Kleve boasts a diverse range of trees, including many of great botanical value. In addition, the town of Kleve has established a fruit tree arboretum in one section. It is an ideal place to learn about trees in a playful way. And so, in a creative and educational manner, the students explored the forestry garden and its tree population, gaining additional background knowledge about the trees.
Experiencing agroforestry farms first-hand
In addition to an excursion exclusively for students to the agroforestry farms Berkhöfel in Bedburg-Hau and Schanzenhof in Alpen, there was also an opportunity for interested members of the public from outside the university to visit an agroforestry site. Pia Haartz from Hof Birgel in Kalkar led a public tour of the walnut agroforestry site, demonstrating how agriculture and nature conservation go hand in hand. Over 60 trees of various walnut varieties were planted at the start of the year. Meanwhile, the Haartz family has established a new area with hazelnut shrubs and tall hazelnut trees, which the participants were able to walk through. The roots of the plants were inoculated with truffle spores. Whilst this involves specific care requirements, it also raises the hope that, in five to ten years’ time, Burgundy truffles will be harvested there alongside the hazelnuts.
The students had the opportunity to visit two agroforestry farms with different focuses. The Berkhöfel organic farm, in collaboration with the Kleve District Landscape Conservation Association (LIKK e.V.), is establishing orchard meadows that are grazed by its own sheep. The Schanzenhof has integrated agroforestry into its activities alongside dairy farming.
First agroforestry get-together in the Lower Rhine region
The first agroforestry get-together for farmers took place on 7 June in the seminar room of the tropical greenhouse. It was a resounding success: around 25 people from the agricultural sector gathered for a lively exchange of ideas. Questions were asked and answered, and successes, ideas and challenges were shared. The get-together is to be held every two months and will be combined with farm visits and tours of future agroforestry sites in the region.
The formation and significance of soils in orchard meadows
Together with LIKK e.V., Prof. Dr Florian Wichern from HSRW and Dr Stefanie Heinze from Ruhr University Bochum ensured that participants got their hands dirty and gained a better understanding of soils during the workshop ‘Soil in Orchard Meadows’. The participants met at a mixed orchard in Neulouisendorf. There, they deepened their understanding of the importance of soil for plants.
Conclusion
With the Agroforestry Summer Week, the Agroforestry Real-World Laboratory team successfully rose to the challenge of reaching a diverse audience. From an introduction to agroforestry systems and raising awareness, through to expert discussions and in-depth practical sessions, the various levels of knowledge and expertise were covered exceptionally well. The participants agreed, praising in particular the professional organisation of the informative events.
Contact:
Dr Ana Kreter,
Project Co-ordinator, Agroforestry Real-World Laboratory, TransRegINT Project, Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer
Tel.: +49 (0) 2821 806 73-9950
Email: transregint@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
Press contact for TransRegINT
: Christina Martens
, ‘Interaction Hub’ Co-ordinator, TransRegINT
Project, Rhine-Waal
University of Applied Sciences, Kleve
Campus, Marie-Curie-Straße 1
, D-47533 Kleve
Tel.: +49 (0) 2821 806 73-9637
Email: presse-transregint@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
