Sustainable Agriculture in the Elbe-Brandenburg River Landscape

The Dialogforum explored how to achieve sustainable food production in the model region of the Elbe Valley and how to manage land use in the biosphere reserve to halt species loss. Participants gained different perspectives on traditional, sustainable and innovative forms of agriculture.

Keynote speeches by Bettina Kühnast (BUND), Laura Henningson (NABU) and Konstantin Kiprijanov (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin) introduced the topics of the Elbe-Brandenburg biosphere landscape, agriculture and nature conservation, and planetary health. During the subsequent excursion to the biosphere reserve, various experts provided different insights into the complex interrelationships between different forms of agriculture and nutrition. We thank the experts for their diverse insights into hunting (Tim Taeger), fishing (Wolfgang Schröder), aquaponics (Christopher Shaw), bioeconomy and fermentation (Martin Reich), vegan nutrition (Johannes Stiegler), dike relocation (Heiko Bölk) and extensive floodplain management (Jochen Purps and Martina Grade).

The importance of listening and responding to each other was made palpable by Kurt Holzkämper (MONAScollective), who made the tension waves of a tree audible through microphoning. Back at Burg Lenzen, participants discussed the opportunities and challenges for the various agricultural sectors in the Elbe Valley-Brandenburg region. Shortcomings were pointed out as well as possible solutions and possible cooperation.

For more information about the project group, visit the Dialogforum project.