- Sustainable Farming: What is it?
- Sustainable farming: why does the concept exist?
- What is produced in a SoLaWi?
- SoLaWi near me: Where are there SoLaWis in your area?
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What is solidarity agriculture (SoLaWi) and is there a SoLaWi near me? We have the definition and examples ready.
Solidarity farming is not just a way of farming and marketing agricultural products. Many advocates of this model also consider this form of farming to be the fairest and best. The number of supporters has been increasing rapidly for some time - in Germany as well as in Austria, Switzerland and many other countries. In this article we explain the concept of the SoLaWis in more detail and introduce the communities of some German cities.
Sustainable Farming: What is it?
SoLaWi is the abbreviation for solidarity agriculture. It is a community made up of producers (e.g. farmers) and consumers. The concept is based on the solidarity that is already in the name: the consumers undertake to pay monthly or annual contributions in order to reliably cover the costs of the producers. In return, they are supplied by the producers with the products of their economy.
The price that consumers pay is set annually in most SoLaWis, the methods for determining the contribution can vary. Often, financially weaker members are enabled to become part of the community by being co-funded by the community. In some SoLaWis it is also possible to reduce the contribution to be paid by working hours. Voluntary community work is generally welcome in almost all SoLaWis and is often even indispensable.
The products produced are distributed differently in the various communities: vegetable boxes or collection depots are just two options. Due to the fixed payment of the producers, years with low agricultural yields are intercepted, in return the consumers are en titled to a share in the surplus of products in years with very good yields.
Sustainable farming: why does the concept exist?
The SoLaWis concept avoids the otherwise usual "detour" via the retail trade, so that on the one hand the producers do not have to compete with all other producers on price and on the other hand the consumers pay a lower price for the products.
This may seem contradictory at first glance, but it can be explained by the fact that conventional retailers also keep part of the price for themselves in order to make a profit. In order to maximize these profits, people often buy as cheaply as possible - the same of course also applies to wholesale and is generally a clear trend in the free market economy.
This means that the producers try to produce as cheaply as possible in order to also get a profit from their work. However, very cheap food production is often at the expense of the environment and leads to low wages for the producers' employees.
The solidarity agriculture should be a fairer, regional, seasonal and mostly organic alternative to the usual way to the supermarket. It should give the producers the opportunity to produce with financial security and at the same time to treat the environment, the land used and their employees in a considerate and sustainable manner.
What is produced in a SoLaWi?
Even if only one producer is involved in solidarity agriculture, the range is often very varied. A varied crop rotation protects the soil and keeps it fertile. That, too, is only possible because it is not necessary to produce as cheaply as possible "at any price". Because growing many different types of vegetables is much more labor intensive than concentrating on one type of vegetable.
Often orchards, cider factories and livestock farming are also part of SoLaWis. This makes it possible to offer a wide range of products, from apples to eggs and good beef to zucchini.
SoLaWi near me: Where are there SoLaWis in your area?
If you are now curious, you will find the presentation of some interesting SoLaWis below. There is sure to be one in your area.
SoLaWi near Bremen
Gärtnerhof Oldendorf, located about 40 kilometers north of Bremen, produces as part of aSoLaWi vegetables, fruit and herbs in Demeter quality. All products are distributed exclusively to members of the community, none of the products go to retail. The community of consumers around Bremen and Bremerhaven is supplied via weekly stocked depots. On the one hand, the weekly letter, which continuously reports on what is happening on the farm, ensures additional proximity to the producers. On the other hand, hands-on activities are regularly organized so that the origin of the food on the farm can be experienced directly. At the annual circle festival, the focus is on getting to know each other, forming a community and enjoying it.
SoLaWi near Stuttgart
SoLaWi Stuttgart in cooperation with the Reyerhof Möhringen produces agricultural products organically and of course without genetic engineering. Their vision is not limited to the purely practical: exchange and cooperation should replace competitive thinking. For this it is necessary that vital resources such as water, soil and food as well as education and knowledge are regarded as common goods. Following this approach, the SoLaWi Stuttgart offers a platform for open communication, lectures and workshops. Balanced prosperity should grow from this attitude, which does not conflict with an intact and sustainably managed ecosystem. SoLaWi Stuttgart is also looking to future generations: manage well today so that you can continue to draw from the garden of nature in the future.
SoLaWi near Augsburg
Under the motto "Ecological-Regional-Seasonal-Community" the SoLaWi Augsburg brings together a total of four producers with many consumers around Augsburg. The initiative received the “Augsburg Future Prize” in 2022. The organization of the SoLaWi is something very special: The members are divided into "farmers" and "town farmers". While the farmers produce products for themselves and the townspeople, they take care of public relations, community projects and recruiting new members, for example.
SoLaWi near Hanover
About 20 kilometers west of Hanover, on the site of a former tree nursery, the SoLaWi "wild growth" thrives. In 2010 and 2011, the site was restructured by the siblings Arne and Meike Wessel into an organic nursery and since then organic-vegan cultivation has been practiced here, which means: Not even animal fertilizers are used here. To the companyinclude outdoor areas, four foil tunnels for warmth-loving crops and two meadow orchards. The products produced, spread over the year there are over 40 different vegetable crops, can be picked up either directly from the farm or from depots. In the SoLaWi "wild growth" cooperation is welcome, so that the management is a real community effort. The budget is discussed in detail at the annual general meetings, as is the cultivation plan, in which all employees can also have a say.
SoLaWi near Cologne
In the west of Cologne is the still very young SoLaWi "Gemüsekoop", which - although it has only existed since spring 2022 - supplies 180 Cologne residents with regional, seasonal and organically grown vegetables. The financing of this SoLaWi is very interesting: While the ongoing operation is paid for by the monthly membership fees, crowdfunding, foundation funds and subsidies are responsible for covering special costs, for example when a new area of activity is developed or a new bicycle for the delivering employees should be purchased. In addition, each member pays a contribution to the vegetable cooperative upon joining, which is repaid if the member wishes to leave the community. With this "credit" plannable and larger purchases are made, such as machines or the expansion of workspaces.
Since a detailed presentation of too many SoLaWis would go beyond the scope of this article, we are now presenting a few more projects from all corners of Germany in short form:
SoLaWi Leipzig and Brandis (Solidarische Feldwirtschaft- Association for Food Sovereignty and Social Utopias e.V.)
In SoLaWi Leipzig and Brandis, a lot is worked, learned and tried out together. So that all members can participate in the new findings, everything is reproduced on the well-structured website. An initiative that looks like fun, a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to learn.
SoLaWi Frankenberg/Saxony (Courtyard to the colorful cow)
SoLaWi in Frankenberg/Saxony offers a wide range: They not only run an FÖJ position, but also a BuFDi position and an apprenticeship position. The farm is also a member of the WWOOF association. The farm "zur Bunten Kuh" is therefore a recommendation for anyone who would like to try out the concept of solidarity agriculture for themselves.
SoLaWi Berlin (Kiez & Land)
SoLaWi "Kiez & Land" has teamed up with an organic nursery in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which supplies three districts of our capital with vegetables every week (twice a month in winter).
SoLaWi Berlin, Potsdam, Halle, Leipzig (Star Garden Odyssey)
As consumers today, we are all part of complex economic contexts that bring about social injustice and environmental degradation on a large scale. The members of the "Sterngartenodyssey" are of the opinion that this can be done better. That is why they have developed a form of cooperation that they find fair and that is based on a sustainable approach to nature. They organize a joint cultivation plan, organize a variety of work assignments that teach them understanding and respect for agricultural work. The courtyards thus become meeting places. This is where the sense of responsibility arises, with which the members shape their project.
With everyone who has the courage to join the Sterngartenodyssey, a common path is taken to show that fair treatment and sustainability are wanted and feasible .
SoLaWi Munich (potato combine)
The potato combine was founded by Daniel Überall and Simon Scholl. After two moves, however, the cooperative has now found a home in the form of a former tree nursery, which has been converted into an organic vegetable farm (certified by Naturland Fair). The site was jointly financed and with this step and in hopeful expectation of what the future of SoLaWi will bring, the supply of many Munich residents with he althy, regional and seasonal vegetables is secured.
SoLaWi Hamburg (Kattendorfer Hof)
The Kattendorfer Hof near Hamburg has been operating according to Demeter guidelines since 1995. Here, according to Rudolf Steiner's ideas, farming is largely done in cycles in order to maintain and increase the fertility of the 240 hectares cultivated. With the help of the so-called "FoodCoops" and the farm shop, the products produced - cereals, vegetables and animal products such as cheese, quark and eggs - are distributed to consumers. The “FoodCoops” organize the distribution of the products themselves and also provide storage space so that the Kattendorfer Hof does not have to pack separate boxes for each customer.
SoLaWi Dortmund(Schulte-Tigges learning farm)
The Schulte-Tigges learning farm has been managed as SoLaWi since waking up from a long slumber. In addition, since then it has been a "hands-on farm" for children and young people, who should get a playful approach to the topics of agriculture, nutrition, consumption, climate and the environment by tackling and doing it themselves.
SoLaWi Mainz
Out of the desire to eat he althily and ecologically independently of corporations, catalyzed by the information event "The state needs new townspeople", SoLaWi Mainz finally developed after a two-year start. With the help of technically experienced and helpful gardeners, a project has now developed that is able to distribute 105 portions of vegetables per month and that looks after its own areas, storage locations and machines.
SoLaWi Darmstadt
SoLaWi Darmstadt has existed since 2011 and can now provide for 80 members with the help of the nearby Birkenhof. In working groups, a lot is put together on the basis of voluntary work. The cultivation on the Birkenhof is not affected, it is denied independently of voluntary help. However, summer festivals, public relations, maintenance of the depots and the website are carried out by the community on their own initiative.
SoLaWi Pforzheim
SoLaWi Pforzheim works in cooperation with the Auenhof, which employs several gardeners, social therapists and 18 employees who need assistance. In this way, another social aspect is introduced into the idea of solidarity agriculture, in which every member of the community can play an important role and achieve something within the scope of their possibilities.
If there is no SoLaWi in your area in this comprehensive list, then take a look at the official website of solidarity agriculture to find a start-up initiative or a SoLaWi for yourself.