Junior research group on water-saving vegetable production along the value chain in North Hesse (Bio-Klima-Gemüse) 2024-2026
Junior research group on water-saving organic vegetable production along the value chain in northern Hesse (2024-2026)
Project objective:
Compared to many arable crops, vegetables have a high water requirement. Limited water availability can result in serious yield losses during periods of drought. For this reason, water-saving cultivation methods are being researched in this project in order to make vegetable cultivation sustainable. In cooperation with the Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen, flatter and wider carrot ridges instead of single ridges and the mulching of vegetable growing areas with organic material (cereal-legume cuttings) for the carrot and leek crops are being investigated. The leek mulching trials are also being carried out on two Paxis farms. In order to introduce these cultivation methods into practice, both individual farm profitability and climate-adapted sales channels for fresh vegetables, including further processing (washing, peeling, cutting, preserving), are important. New processing options offer opportunities to strengthen the regional sales market and thus the cultivation methods. The challenges and opportunities of marketing structures for regional vegetables from climate-adapted production methods (organic climate vegetables) are to be uncovered with the help of network analyses, consumer surveys and workshops. The project will thus work along the entire value chain for organic climate vegetables in North Hesse.
Runtime
01.02.2024 - 30.11.2026
Participants in the FÖL
Other participants:
- Prof. Dr. Detlev Möller, University of Kassel, Section Business Administration
- Prof. Dr. Bettina König, University of Kassel, section Sustainability Management in the International Food Industry
- Hanna Poschmann, University of Kassel, section Sustainability Management in the International Food Industry
- Prof. Dr. Katrin Zander, University of Kassel, Section Agricultural and Food Marketing
- Joachim Keil, Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen
- Andreas Backfisch, Rote Rübe Schwarzer Rettich
- Jenny Wintzer, Falkenhof
Promotion
Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Eco Action Plan
Fact sheet - Climate-adapted organic vegetable cultivation in northern Hesse - from the field to the plate (Bio-Klima-Gemüse)
Future Workshop on August 28, 2026: Strengthening the Value Creation of Bio-Regional Vegetables in the Face of Climate Change?!
On August 28, 2026, the University of Kassel, in collaboration with the Hessian State Agricultural Agency (LLH), invites you to the Frankenhausen Estate.
The one-day workshop will focus on how to strengthen the value creation of bio-regional vegetables in North Hesse under the conditions of climate change.
As part of the “Bio-Klima-Gemüse” project, we will present research findings on bio-regional vegetable value creation as well as consumer perspectives. In subsequent workshops, we would like to discuss challenges with the participants, exchange experiences, and develop practical approaches for the further development of regional value creation.
The focus is on three topics:
Water availability in vegetable farming
New approaches to marketing fresh vegetables
Regional processing potential
The workshop provides a space for professional exchange, networking, and new ideas along the value chain.
The event is aimed at stakeholders from production, processing, trade, politics, administration, and consulting who wish to discuss the challenges, potential solutions, and future prospects of bio-regional vegetable value creation.
For more information and to register, clickhere.
Practice partner meeting organic climate vegetables
Cooperation with practical farms is a central component of the organic climate vegetables project. Regular practice partner meetings serve to reflect back results from research, record practical experiences and assessments, jointly classify results and discuss further practical transfer as well as enable mutual exchange. At the project's practice partner meeting on 22.04.2026 at the Hessian State Domain in Frankenhausen with representatives from the farms Rote Rübe - Schwarzer Rettich, Falkenhof Strothe and the farm of the Frankenhausen domain, everyone agreed that even if practical research is a lot of work, the effort is worth it and the new insights and experiences as well as the joint exchange through the project are "super exciting and enriching".
Article: Vegetable growing manages climate change
The article from the project in the Bioland trade magazine shows: In order for vegetable growing to cope with climate change, not only the farms but the entire supply chain - from processing and trade to authorities - must adapt and deal more flexibly with fluctuating quantities and qualities. Specific cultivation methods are also presented that can help to save water and make farms more resilient.
Article from the Bio-Klima-Gemüse project in the Bioland trade magazine 04/2026
Organic climate vegetables project at WITA 2026: Mulch, irrigation and strategic management approaches in climate-resilient vegetable production
The Organic Climate Vegetable Project presented current results for climate-resilient vegetable production at the 18th Organic Agriculture Science Conference (WITA 2026). In presentations, young scientists Hanna Pohlmann and Benjamin Ruch from the project reported on the effects of Wick triticale mulch and drip irrigation in leeks as well as the role of strategic management in climate strategies for vegetable production. In addition, a workshop contribution on compost, transfer mulch and catch crops discussed approaches, conflicting goals and strategies for adaptation measures to dry periods.
The contributions to the presentations can also be found in the WITA conference proceedings, edited by Kemper, R., M. Athmann, A. Häring, D. Neuhoff, M. Müller-Lindenlauf, L. Schmitz, C. Stumm, I. Tiemann & T.F. Döring [eds.], (2026) Tagungsband zur 18. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Widerspruch begegnen - viele Antworten, ein Ökolandbau. March 3-6, 2026 at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn. https://doi.org/10.48565/qysm-nt77.
Therein:
- Pohlmann, H., Schmidt, T. & König, B. (2026): Climate-resilient vegetable production and the role of strategic management - a systematic literature review. S. 318-321.
- Ruch, B., Athmann, M. & Hefner, M. (2026): Increasing yield, water productivity, N dynamics and microbial activity in leeks by Wick-Triticale mulch and drip irrigation. S- 42-43.
Further information on the Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture (WITA 2026) at: https://wissenschaftstagung.de/
Field day at our demo farm - red beet-black radish on 11.09.2025
Field day at our demo farm - red beet-black radish on 11.09.2025
26 participants from four federal states met for an exchange of experiences, a tour and exciting discussions.
Program field day red beet-black radish - 11.09.2026
Field day at our demo farm - Falkenhof Strothe on 26.09.2024
Field day at our demo farm - Falkenhof Strothe on 26.09.2024
With 19 participants from all over Hesse and neighboring NRW, an interesting and lively event with field tours, lectures and informative discussions.
Program field day Falkenhof Strothe - 26.09.2024
Organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" 18.07.2024 from Hessischer Rundfunk
The contribution starts at minute 1:52
Organic climate vegetable project on the radio!
hessenschau
Research project at the University of Kassel Vegetable cultivation in a changing climate: mulch does the trick
Article in the magazine "über bio"
Organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" 14.03.2024 from Hessischer Rundfunk
Margita Hefner presented the organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" by Hessischer Rundfunk. The program starts at the 8th minute.