Buschberghof

Buschberghof, located in Fuhlenhagen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, is an exemplary operation for solidarity and sustainable agriculture. Since the 1950s, the farm has been operating on an area of 116 hectares using biodynamic methods and is recognized as a Demeter farm.

Buschberghof offers a diverse range of food products that come exclusively from its own production. This includes grains, fodder plants, root vegetables, a wide variety of vegetables, milk and meat products from Angler Rotvieh, Angler Sattelschweine, milk sheep, horses, and poultry. Additionally, the farm operates a garden and processes milk and grains. The products are mainly distributed through the economic community, which consists of about 100 households with 300 people[2][3][4].

The main mission of Buschberghof lies in solidarity and sustainable agriculture. The operation is based on the principle of community and mutual trust. The members of the economic community finance the agricultural activities through monthly contributions and receive in return a comprehensive basic supply of food. This model relieves the farm of marketing and yield risks and promotes long-term relationships between the members and the farmers[4][5].

Buschberghof is a model example of sustainable agriculture:

• Ecological Sustainability: The farm operates a circular economy that revitalizes the soil and increases soil fertility. Wood from its own forest is used for the bakery and photovoltaic modules for energy generation. Reusable packaging materials are provided by the members[4].
• Social Sustainability: The operation secures jobs and offers social therapeutic care for people with intellectual disabilities and various mental illnesses. Self-organization and opportunities for participation promote coexistence and social bonding within the community[1][4][5].
• Financial Sustainability: Financing through the economic community secures the economic existence of the farm for each financial year and eliminates costs for marketing, packaging, and advertising[4].

Buschberghof is one of the first solidarity agriculture operations (SoLaWi) in Germany, founded in 1988. The concept is based on the idea of co-production between producers and consumers, which is founded on mutual trust and the shared bearing of risks. The farm also offers educational and internship opportunities in agriculture and vegetable cultivation[5].

Thus, Buschberghof represents a vibrant example of financially, socially, and ecologically profitable agriculture that not only protects the environment but also strengthens the community and creates sustainable livelihoods.

• 1 - http://www.soziale-landwirtschaft.de/forschung/projekte/boeln-projekt-1
• 2 - https://buschberghof.de
• 3 - https://www.demeter.de/betriebe/landwirtschaftliche-arbeitsgemeinschaft-buschberghof
• 4 - https://buschberghof.de/wirtschaftsgemeinschaft/organisation/
• 5 - https://www.landwirtschaftskammer.de/landwirtschaft/landentwicklung/urban/mitmachen/informieren/solawi.htm