Analysis, consultance and training for politicians and farming practice

The decline of biodiversity in the soil threatens us at least as much as the decline of biodiversity above it!

>> Soil biota play a vital role in soil fertility and have a significant impact on agricultural yields. They also contribute to the purification of air and water. If these functions had to be fulfilled synthetically, it would cost trillions of euros every year.<<

EU Commission 2010

We need to transform our food systems, which today are responsible for nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, consume large amounts of natural resources, lead to biodiversity loss and negative health impacts (from both undernutrition and overnutrition). They even fail to provide fair economic returns and livelihoods for all stakeholders, especially primary producers.

All sustainable food systems are highly dependent soil quality. Without soil, no life. And without soil life, no yield.

The extent to which soil is being degraded by our current agricultural systems has just been dramatically demonstrated again by the UN’s Global Land Outlook 2 report.

The new report shows that 40 percent of the earth’s land suitable for agriculture and forestry has already been degraded, making it no longer as fertile as it originally was. This problem now affects half of humanity.

“If natural resources continue to be managed as they are now, this could lead to additional soil and land desertification the size of South America by 2050,” UNCCD spokeswoman Miriam Medel told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

UNCCD chief Ibrahim Thiaw stressed, “Modern agriculture has already changed the face of this planet more than any other human activity. We urgently need to rethink our global food system, which is responsible for 80 percent of deforestation and 70 percent of freshwater consumption.”

Note: Film project by ARTE Europe. A continent in transition.

In the episode Europe At A Crossroads – The Green Revolution the Institute for Soil Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture was involved in the expert advisory.

Offer consulting, analysis, training

On the following pages you will find numerous offers for consulting, analysis and advanced training in the fields of agricultural and food policy and agricultural soil management.

From A, like agricultural policy, to Z, like zero pollution, you will find many approaches and ideas for an agriculture that is healthy, clean and fair and, that preserves resources also for our grandchildren.

You will also find many of these topics in my PUBLICATIONS.

Organic and conventional:

The Institute for Soil Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture (BBÖA) offers advice, analysis, knowledge transfer and support for a regionally integrated, socially sustainable and environmentally sound rural development. I work across the entire range of topics in the organic and conventional sectors.

At all levels:

My clients include political institutions such as the German Bundestag, the European Parliament and the European Commission, as well as various federal state parliaments and public and private international research projects and universities. I also work for environmental and agricultural associations, the food industry, farmers, gardeners and private clients.

The clear communication of background knowledge and contexts is my concern. I’m seeing myself as a mediator between science and practice. I do not present endless tables or general statements – I speak out clearly.