Marie Woeste

After the first few semesters, I realized that my heart was beating 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 more committed to my studies. The many opportunities to interact with other students were particularly helpful. And this is exactly what has stayed with me to this day as one of the most valuable experiences: Together we manage to change the world sustainably, bit by bit.

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

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

During this time, something became very clear in my head. I shouldn't pursue a bureaucratic profession just because it seems safer. The change started with me. So I spent the last few semesters and my bachelor's thesis focusing on my parents' business. What is the easiest way for me to gain a foothold there? How can I take the most people with me on my journey?

Six months before I graduated, the decision was made. Me and my partner were going to set up a market garden with solidarity farming. Our first information evening was a complete success. Over 100 people wanted to listen to us and some of them joined our core team. A year later, we founded the Solidarische Landwirtschaft Lüdenscheid association. Our non-profit association already has over 110 members and aims to connect farmers in our region as well as promote nature conservation and environmental education. Our way of dealing with the upcoming investments was to launch a crowdfunding campaign, thanks to which we more than achieved our goal.

We can now start growing vegetables for around 100 households on our half-hectare market garden next year. A first step towards feeding ourselves and our members from agriculture. However, our vision goes even further. Next year, we will be planting more permanent crops, shrubs and trees on several areas of the farm. We want our land to nourish us humans just as much as our nature - that is why we are creating an edible landscape. Perennial crops allow us to have intact soil and long-lasting structures from which we can harvest and which also provide a habitat. We want to take a path that shows that things can be done differently and thus create further options for future agriculture.

Witzenhausen, with its many offers and opportunities, gave me the fundamental understanding to see farming as a process and gave me the tools to implement my path. I am very grateful for my time there, because it has made me the woman I am today and will make our farm something special.

Maren Busch: What a lovely article and exciting insight into your current project. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can successfully realize your plans on your parents' farm.