How has the German agricultural advisory service innovated its methods and organization? This is the focal point of the next Cross Visit which takes place from May 8 through 12.
The theme of this Cross Visit is illustrated through the presentation of four innovation cases.
Hofgut Oberfeld in Darmstadt – Storytelling about a community supported urban agriculture
Hofgut Oberfeld with 150 hectares land was originally a “Hofmeierei”, domain of the Grand Dukes of Hessen-Darmstadt, later State owned of Hessen. On July 1, 2006, following the initiative of the citizens of Darmstadt, the farm transferred into a multifaceted place working on a non-profit basis with organic farming, cultivated landscape, biodiversity, promotion of art and culture, education, youth development as well as child care and care of the elderly.
Training of trainers with Andreas Hermes Akademie
The academy focuses on training both entrepreneurs and advisors. The farmers are trained to find their individual way in their own personal development as well as in the development of their farms. The advisors, on the other hand, are trained to be advisors with a threefold expertise as advisor, coach and moderator in order to support the farmer in his development.
Training programme for the organic farming business
The training programme for the organic sector was initiated in the wake of the German federal programme for organic farming which aimed at expanding the area of organically farmed land in Germany. The trainee programme was set up to further qualify organic advisors. Nowadays, the programme is open for trainees form the whole sector.
CECRA: up-scaling of advisors
CECRA is a qualification and competence development system for consulting personnel in the rural areas of Europe. Since 2009, CECRA has offered a European wide certificate for agricultural and rural advisors who want to improve their consulting skills.
Entra – Facilitated exchange for managers of advisory organizations
Open and systematic exchange on management questions between managers of advisory organizations can be very useful. In practice, however, it happens quite rarely. The innovation story shows how such exchange can be initiated and facilitated and which aspects should be considered.
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