Permaculture farm

Knowledge creation and awareness raising

Ecological and sustainable preservation of an old farmhouse with a long history (Ref. 7, 9) Climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture: using as little energy as possible and using sustainable agricultural methods. In addition, “waste” on the farm (and in the future perhaps also in the surrounding allotment gardens) is seen as a natural cycle resource and should be used in the future (bio-pile for greenhouse heating, small bio-gas fermenter as a demo system, composting toilets, grey and rainwater use). (Ref. 9) Establishing an experimental space for learning and experience where best practices are developed and illustrated, networks are formed and where citizens find the structures, resources and the space for implementing their own ideas and making their activities real (Ref. 1) Actively supporting citizens aiming at redeveloping urban spaces (Ref. 3) Reviving the cultivation of indigenous, regional crops and cultivars that are well adapted to local conditions, are resilient against the effects of climate change and are important for biodiversity (Ref. 1) Green energy concept: becoming as self-sufficient as possible in the energy sector by producing renewable energies in a variety of ways on the farm. (Ref. 9)

Since March 2017 people have been cultivating the gardens around the old courtyard with the two building complexes, one of which is a residential building with stables and on the other one a large free-standing barn with a coach house and workshop. The old farmhouse consists of a living quarter, a barn, a cattle shed, a garage, a storage cellar and a kitchen and offers different options of use and design for sustainable gardening and agriculture. (Ref. 9) The implementation of the permaculture concept includes the revival of cultivars that are well adapted to the local conditions and are therefore more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate. In seminars, guided tours and lectures, the holistic character of permaculture and its alternative cultivation methods are explained, illustrated and tested to inspire people to become active themselves. Since it also serves as an experimental lab, citizens have the chance to implement their own ideas or even take over responsibility over parts of the farm that they develop and cultivate themselves. A strong focus is on creating an opportunity for social interaction and building and a wider network, for instance during processing the harvest in the communal kitchen (Ref. 1, 4 and 5). The next focus for the permaculture farm will be the production of renewable energies in the farm. (Ref. 9)

• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)