Currently, more than 30 organic farmers, advisors from organic farming associations and the Hessian State Farm (Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen LLH), researchers from various Hessian research institutions and the network coordinators are part of the Farmers-led Research Network Hesse (Praxisforschungsnetzwerk Hessen PFN). The Association of Organic Farming in Hesse (Vereinigung ökologischer Landbau in Hessen (VÖL) e.V.) is the network’s project management organisation. At regular meetings we exchange ideas, discuss and learn from and with each other in order to work together as equals in a dynamic network structure. Experts from agricultural practice, advisory services and research develop projects in a coordinated process and implement them together.
Esther Mieves holds a master’s degree in Sustainable International Agriculture with a focus on Organic Agriculture. She is also a trained gardener holding a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and thus has been professionally involved in various forms of plant cultivation and ecological plant protection. As a coordinator of the Farmers-led Research Network for Organic Agriculture and Vegetable Farming Hesse, she brings to bear not only this professional background but also her work experience as an Education for Sustainable Development officer and her expertise in initiating and shaping participatory processes.
e.mieves@pfn-hessen.de | +49 (0) 175 2601486
Natalia Riemer studied Biology in Leipzig and Organic Agriculture in Witzenhausen. Before and alongside her studies, she worked in horticulture. She works as a research assistant in the Department of Ecological Plant Protection at the University of Kassel and has been coordinating the Farmers-led Research Network Hesse together with Esther Mieves since 2019.
n.riemer@pfn-hessen.de | +49 (0) 175 2129772
For the successful establishment of the Farmers-led Research Network, a good organisational structure of the five expert groups is of great importance: VÖL coordinates the cooperation of farmers, advisory services and research (represented by the universities) in conjunction with the funding agencies.
