Background

At the University of Hohenheim, organic farming plays a prominent role in both research and education. In line with the concept of the farm as an organism, teaching and research in organic farming at Hohenheim are not covered by a single institute but are coordinated and organized interdisciplinarily through the Center for Organic Farming. This approach fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between institutes and encourages students to develop interconnected thinking. Accordingly, courses on organic farming are typically interdisciplinary, with subject specialists covering aspects of plant and animal production, processing, and economics that are particularly important to organic farming and that distinguish it from other forms of agriculture.

The Master's program in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems is based on these principles and encompasses the entire food chain, from field to table. The program is offered in English, reflecting the growing global interest in organic farming.

Research on organic farming takes place in nearly all institutes and departments at the university. Research projects and funding applications are coordinated by the Center for Organic Farming, which supports researchers with grant applications and highlights opportunities for collaboration.

The Agricultural Sciences Research Station at Kleinhohenheim, which operates organically, is available for teaching and experimental research in organic farming. Located within cycling distance of the campus, this 60-hectare facility provides all the resources needed for teaching and research in organic farming. Not only does it offer theoretical insights, it also gives students the opportunity to experience the practical challenges of farming organically at first hand.