A 20-hectare exhibition area, 11,500 visitors and 330 exhibitors - that was the Organic Field Days 2022. For the first time, REWE, gold sponsor of the organic performance show and research sponsor, took part at the Hessian State Domain near Villmar.
It is probably the biggest meeting place for organic farming: the third edition of the Organic Field Days attracted organic farmers and those who want to become organic farmers from all over Germany to Aumenau near Villmar. There, on the grounds of the Hessian state domain Gladbacherhof - it is the teaching and experimental farm of the Justus Liebig University Giessen - the trade visitors were given a detailed insight into the current research and economic work of organic farming.
Given the huge range of exhibitors and specialist forums, it was not always easy to keep track of everything. Tobias Seidenfaden and Dr Carolin Winkel (from right) were on hand to help at the REWE stand
Visitor numbers were particularly high for the machine demonstrations, new developments and panel discussions on the future of agriculture. Many camera- and GPS-guided hoes were the centre of interest. Other highlights of the field days were the numerous demo plots of the exhibitors, a trial on vegetable cultivation in mulch and the national variety trials on winter wheat and soya.
REWE had a prominent presence as a gold sponsor with its own stand measuring around 200 square metres. "We have achieved what we promised ourselves: To enter into dialogue with organic farmers and food processors. Within the Group, we wanted to show our employees the current state of organic farming," said Marcus Wewer, Head of Quality Management for REWE and PENNY's own organic brands, summarising the premiere appearance positively.
REWE supports seed fund
REWE supports the seed fund of the Future Foundation for Agriculture under the umbrella of GLS Treuhand with 111,111.11 euros. The money is channelled into sustainable research projects, in particular the biodynamic, regionally adapted breeding of varieties for organic farming. Ecologically adapted seeds are characterised in particular by the fact that they ensure high yields for organic farmers even without plant protection and mineral fertilisers and that the plants are tolerant to diseases, pests and long periods of drought.
Regional manager Jürgen Scheider (right) presented the symbolic cheque to Oliver Willing, managing director of the Future Foundation for Agriculture I Photo: Thomas Bonrath
"REWE is thus committed to a broad spectrum of crops, seed-resistant and hardy varieties, open-source breeding, conservation concepts and seed exchanges," said Jürgen Scheider, Chairman of the Managing Directors of REWE Mitte, at the donation ceremony. "In other words, for research and development work that is not very lucrative economically, but means nothing less than securing the future of organic farming and safeguarding the ecological transformation."
Oliver Willing, Managing Director of the Future Foundation for Agriculture, added: "Organic farming is a holistic cultivation system and needs plants that are adapted to it in terms of breeding. From resilience, weed suppression and stronger root formation to optimum straw yield for species-appropriate animal husbandry in cereals or the best flavour in vegetables - organic breeders need to have over 35 characteristics in mind. We are delighted that REWE is continuing to promote organic breeding as an important foundation of organic farming with its donation to our seed fund."
It was a successful premiere: REWE presented itself as a reliable partner to organic farmers with its own stand and a generous donation for research. One spoke to the organisers Marcus Wewer and Matthias Sinn about the topics that dominated the discussions.
one: Why did REWE (Bio) present itself with a large stand at the Ökofeldtage trade fair, whose target group is primarily organic farmers?
Matthias Sinn: As a gold sponsor and with a large stand at this year's Ökofeldtage, REWE showed its great interest in organic farming in general as well as the need and desire to expand its product range with national and regional organic products. The focus was particularly on securing raw materials for nationally listed REWE organic products. The aim was to enter into dialogue with organic farmers and present REWE as a reliable trading partner.
one: It was a joint stand with Naturland. What is the current status of the co-operation with the organic association and seal issuer Naturland?
Marcus Wewer
Marcus Wewer: Naturland has been a partner of REWE since 2009, and almost half of the more than 800 REWE organic products are already "Naturland" certified. The cooperation is correspondingly close: REWE's goal is 100 per cent Naturland certification of all REWE organic products by 2025. At the Ökofeldtage, a joint appearance also made sense in discussions with organic farmers who were interested in Naturland certification or who already had certified raw materials and end products to offer.
one: How would you summarise the three days of the fair? Would you say it was worth it?
Matthias Sinn: The Organic Field Days were a great success for REWE. Our colleagues from Event Management designed a great stand that attracted many visitors, aroused their interest in REWE Bio and generated a positive response - both externally and among REWE Group colleagues. Many organic farmers introduced themselves to us with a wide variety of projects and were interested in working with us. Many existing REWE suppliers also contacted us. We took on board numerous requests and suggestions, but are particularly pleased that the majority of suppliers are very satisfied with the collaboration.
one: Could this trade fair also be of interest to the target group of retailers/market managers? If so, why?
Matthias Sinn
Matthias Sinn: In addition to the opportunity to get to know existing suppliers personally, many organic farmers offer their projects and goods directly at the Ökofeldtage - many of them are primarily interested in regional cooperation with smaller quantities that are also interesting for individual markets. However, it is very unlikely that local suppliers and suitable retailers and market managers will be at the stand at the same time. We therefore consider a visit to be more useful for market managers and retailers who come from the region in which the field days take place. If we take part in the Eco Field Days again in 2023, we will think about this in depth again. Ideas already exist. However, representatives from the Central Region were always present at the stand and were available for a dialogue with the farmers.
one: So you can imagine having a stand at the next Organic Field Days?
Marcus Wewer : After the very positive response at this year's Ökofeldtage, we would be very happy to participate again with a stand at the Ökofeldtage 2023 in Baden-Württemberg, in the REWE Region Südwest.
Matthias Sinn is Head of Omnichannel Category Development
Marcus Wewer, a trained farmer, is responsible for the REWE Group's own brands REWE Bio and PENNY Naturgut in quality management
