Marie Woeste

After the first few semesters, I realized that my heart beat faster, especially when it came to nature conservation and agriculture . The idea of using agriculture not only to feed people, but also to provide a variety of other ecosystem services, made me want to study more deeply and with greater commitment. I was particularly encouraged by the many opportunities to interact with other students. And that is what has stuck with me to this day as one of the most valuable experiences: Together we manage to change the world piece by piece in a sustainable way.

Thanks to the student-organized "regenerative agriculture" group, I was able to learn about new ways of farming one evening a week. And also that these new ways have actually already been practiced by mankind for centuries, we just see them mostly out of reach in our fixed structures.

It followed that I became part of the organizing team of the Witzenhausen conference. Our topic, as fundamental as it is, was able to unite all our interests. "The Last Dirt: Soil Conservation in Policy and Practice" allowed us all to mesh thematically. The knowledge and enthusiasm to organize something for other people continues to this day.

During this time, something became very clear in my mind. I should not pursue a bureaucratic profession just because it seems safer. The change starts with me. So I now focused my last semesters and my bachelor's thesis on my parents' business. What is the easiest way for me to gain a foothold there? How can I bring the most people along with me on my journey?

Half a year before I graduated, the decision was made. I and my partner are setting up a vegetable garden with solidarity farming. Our first information evening was a great success. More than 100 people wanted to listen to us and some of them joined our core team. One year later we founded the association Solidarity Farming Lüdenscheid. Our non-profit association is already over 110 members strong and aims to network farmers in our region as well as to realize nature conservation and environmental education. In other words, to make environmentally sustainable agriculture possible directly on site. Our way to deal with the upcoming investments was to start a crowdfunding campaign, thanks to which we more than achieved our goal.

We can now start next year to grow vegetables for about 100 households on our half-acre market garden. A first step in feeding ourselves and our members from farming. However, our vision goes even further. We are planting more permanent crops, shrubs and trees on several areas of the farm next year. We want our land to feed us humans as much as our natural world - we are planting an edible landscape to do just that. Perennial crops allow us to have intact soil and long-lasting structures from which we harvest and which at the same time create habitat. We want to take a path that shows that it can be done differently and thus create further options for future agriculture.

Witzenhausen, with its many offers and opportunities, has given me the basic understanding to see agriculture as a process and has given me the tools to implement my way. I am very grateful for my time there, because it has made me the woman I can be today and will make our farm special.

Maren Busch: What a beautiful article and exciting insight into your current project. I keep my fingers crossed that you will be able to successfully realize your plans on your parents' farm.