Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hörning
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Advice and research for species-appropriate animal husbandry
I am closely associated with the Witzenhausen department, both as a student (1984-1991) and as a former member of staff (1993-2005).
In the course of the growing social debate about environmental problems (dying forests, hole in the ozone layer, nuclear power) from the 1970s onwards, interest in alternatives to conventional agriculture also grew. At the beginning of the 1980s, however, organic farming was still in its infancy; there were only around a thousand organic farms and only a few organic associations, and the EU Organic Regulation did not come into force until 1991.
Full lecture halls in the 1980s
The first professorship for organic farming established in Witzenhausen in 1981 motivated many people to study in Witzenhausen. We were a colorful mixture of "ecologists", "internationals" and traditional farm followers. The study conditions were different to today. There were 220 of us in the year group, so the lecture halls were often overcrowded. Lectures were the predominant form of teaching. The basic course content was very conventional and there were sometimes heated discussions with the professors.
As a result, I struggled for a long time about whether I should finish my studies and tried to motivate myself with electives. The turning point came with the internship in the 5th semester. I completed this at the Association for Independent Regional Development. The VER advisors helped farms that were interested in income alternatives that were very rare at the time, such as on-farm processing, direct marketing or alternative energy. Newly motivated, I then went on to specialize in animal production, where there were also other forms of learning. I have positive memories of the conversion exercises, which were supervised by Prof. Vogtmann's staff, or the animal production seminar, where our presentations were put up for discussion by the three animal professors Biedermann, Boehncke and Burgstaller. In my main course of study, I also found my own focus of interest, species-appropriate animal husbandry (project and diploma thesis, founding of a student working group).
From consulting to research
Following my studies, I therefore helped to set up a consultancy office in 1989, Beratung Artgerechte Tierhaltung (BAT). We advised farmers throughout Germany on barn conversion, gave lectures and worked on various projects. We got to know Dr. Detlef Fölsch from ETH Zurich as part of a book project on species-appropriate chicken husbandry. In 1993 I was then able to become a research assistant at his new chair in Witzenhausen, and my postgraduate studies in ecological environmental protection gave me the right to do a doctorate. Prof. Fölsch's appointment in 1993 was also the starting point for the new major in organic farming. During my time at what was then known as GhK (Gesamthochschule Kassel), I was involved in committees for the development of the degree courses, the department and the Frankenhausen experimental farm. In research, I was mainly involved with alternative housing systems (e.g. bedded housing systems for cattle or pigs, runs for laying hens).
When my qualification positions expired, the vacancy for an animal professorship in the new organic farming course at Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences came at just the right time, and I was able to fill it in 2005. In teaching, I had to deal with more topics than before, but this also made cross-references visible. In research, I continue to work on species-appropriate husbandry systems (e.g. mobile houses for chickens) and increasingly also on alternatives in animal husbandry (e.g. slower-growing chickens, dual-purpose chickens). A network of partner organic farms ensures practical relevance.
What I remember positively about studying agriculture in Witzenhausen (in addition to the strong practical relevance) is that, despite the compulsory program, there was enough freedom to try things out and find my own areas of interest. As an employee, I benefited from trying out alternative forms of learning. All in all, I look back fondly on my long time in Witzenhausen and always find my way back to the beautiful Werra Valley.
Comments
Hubert Weissmantel: It's nice that you mention the Association for Independent Regional Development in Hesse in your report. This approach was systematically rejected by politicians from 1987 onwards (incidentally also by the Hessian Greens from the beginning of the 1990s) and even the extra-parliamentary players no longer had the strength to demand "independent" development for rural areas. So it remained and remains a piecemeal affair--a bit of EU funding with Leader here, organic farming there, village renewal programs elsewhere, etc. Everything is nicely politically controlled and what DEVELOPMENT could mean or could be--is defined and enforced via state funding programs. Many greetings from a former regional advisor from your internship