From Research to experience: The PFN Winter Conference 2026
06.+07.02.2025 | EVENT
How can farmers brace themselves against extreme weather events? Why is Germany leading in hazelnut processing, but hardly any hazelnuts are grown in Germany? These are just some of the questions that Farmers, researchers and consultants discussed at the PFN winter conference.
The PFN’s key to success
Every year in February, active members of the Farmers-Led-Research-Network Hesse (PFN) meet in Herbstein near Fulda to jointly plan practical trials for the coming growing seasonIt is particularly important that these trials can be easily integrated into the processes on the farms. Once again this year, many Farmers from all over Hesse arrived. Beyond of their everyday working life, they can focus on planning the joint projects that they will carry out together with scientists of Hessian research institutions and consultants of the Hessian State Farming Agency (LLH) and the Naturland and Bioland farming associations.
Four project groups, one goal: sustainable agriculture
The participants worked on several topics simultaneously in four different project groups. Three project groups were able to further refine and concretize their research projects based on the results of previous years. In addition, the hazelnut project group was joined this year for the first time by a group of farmers who want to answer questions in fruit growing.
- The project group Vegetable growing wants to find out to what extent undersown crops influence yields and whether they protect the soil better against heavy rain and heat. This year, for the first time, scientific research will be carried out on leek crops on several farms.
- The project group Arable farming jointly designed an experimental setup to investigate the extent to which clover-grass can be integrated into the crop rotation in an economically and ecologically sensible way.
- The project group Pig Farming wants to find out whether silage can be used not only as a means of enrichment but also as feed for pigs.
- The newly founded hazel group planned a trial to investigate whether the yield of hazelnuts can be stabilized by adding micronutrients .
Workshops on current challenges
However, the focus of the winter conference was not only on planning research projects. In two workshops, the farmers exchanged views on the reality and challenges of the political framework conditions in organic farming and discussed how a future agricultural policy should be designed in order to effectively support farms. They also discussed what is necessary, regardless of the political framework, to stabilize farms in the long term and to secure a regional food supply in terms of food sovereignty. Various stakeholders and specific opportunities for improvement were identified. In order to strengthen organic farming in the long term, the protection of natural resources should not, for example, be associated with additional administrative costs, which are already a burden on farms in their day-to-day business. Recognition of ecosystem services through product pricing must not make market competition more difficult. For example, the consequential costs of conventional production should be taken into account when setting prices.
State Secretary Ruhl backs the PFN
On the last day of the conference, State Secretary Michael Ruhl from the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Viticulture, Forestry, Hunting and Homeland (HMLU) visited the conference. He handed over a notification that will enable a further three years of practical research in Hesse.
“The Hesse practical research network is an important driving force in the implementation of agricultural policy initiatives and makes a valuable contribution to the resilience of farms in Hesse. Both conventional and organic farming benefit from this. The Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment will continue to support the PFN over the next three years (…). Among other things, we want to promote the preservation and enhancement of biodiversity, reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and promote water protection-compliant fertilization. Our aim is to maintain the continuity of the PFN and at the same time promote its further development.” (Michael Ruhl, State Secretary of the HMLU)
Film making as part of this years conference
A special feature this year was that the winter conference was accompanied by documentary filmmaker Ines Reinisch, who is making a short film about the PFN. During the two days, she conducted interviews with people who are active in the PFN.
The winter conference ended with many new impulses, strengthened networks and a clear vision for the future work of the PFN Hessen – for a resilient and organic agriculture in Hessen.
