Solidarity agriculture has a future

Solidarity agriculture: a model for the future

01/21/2014

The idea is simple. In view of the quasi-global supermarket, where everything is available at any time, many people wonder how ecological or sustainable agriculture can be maintained or maintained. They want healthy, fresh food that, if possible, comes from the region and from organic farming. About so-called farm communities, meanwhile, not a few people get their food.

Specifically, this is a merger of a farm with a group of private households. It is also practiced by organic farmer Christoph Simpfendörfer from Stuttgart. Whether carrots or Swiss chard. About 40 different vegetables grow on his fields.

500 people can benefit
„We could easily feed 500 people“, explains the 55-year-old. The „Reyerhof“ was with one of the first farms in the southwest of the region, who had the idea of „Solidary agriculture“ took up and implemented. After rotten meat scandals, moldy corn and dioxin eggs, quite a few people I wanted to buy vegetables and meat rather directly from organic farmers, instead of shopping in the supermarket. For a monthly contribution of 25 € you get a part of Sipfenmdörfer's harvest, once a week for a year. Everything is coordinated via the network „Solidary agriculture“ (Solawi).

Since 2009, the number of farms has more than quadrupled says the coordinator Stephanie Wild. Meanwhile, the network nationwide 43 Solidarhöfe and 50 initiatives. In this model, the members undertake to take a certain farmer for more than a year for vegetables, fruit or meat. These are always seasonal fruits and vegetables. Of course this also means that there will be no apples in the boxes in March.

For the respective farmer the paid contributions, which are usually between 25 and 100 euros are a safe income and protect him from crop failures or price fluctuations.

„Many people want to know again how their food is produced, says Martin Schäfer of the Working Group on Rural Agriculture (AbL) in the southwest. Christian Eichert, Managing Director of Bioland Baden-Württemberg also sees one „Trend back to nature“. At the same time, customers are pulling across all layers. From the student flat to the pensioner couple. 90 members belong to the „Solawie“ currently on. The members receive fresh, life-giving food. But it is also important to many that they know where and how the food is grown.

Simpfendörfer's offer will also include milk, meat and eggs in the future
As far as content is concerned, Solawi members are concerned with environmentally friendly, short transport routes and to avoid food being thrown away. "We see ourselves as a political movement," says Wild. This also raises the question of how ecological is actually „Eco“, when organic apples from New Zealand or eco-potatoes from Chile are imported. Healthy, fresh foods should, if possible, come from the region and from organic farming, so that they are really the seal „Eco“ earned. (Fr)

Picture: Susanne Schmich