Futterlaub Agroforst Fam. Gerken 2024
Heiko Gerken and his family run an organic farm in Hepstedt (Elbe-Weser Triangle) with around 30 ewes on permanent grassland. The farm is also known for breeding the rare Angler cattle of the old breeding line and for its direct marketing initiative "Lebensmittelpunkt," through which regional organic meat and sausage products are sold.
In May 2024, Lignovis GmbH set up a silvopastoral agroforestry system on 5.8 hectares of permanent grassland with 2,300 poplars and willows (wooded area 0.1 ha). The strips are grazed directly by the flock; in spring 2026, part of the area was additionally developed into a classic laid hedge.
The installation was carried out as part of the FuLaWi research project and is professionally supported by the project partners (https://futterlaub.de).
Website: www.der-lebensmittel-punkt.de
The farm is focused on direct marketing: meat and sausage products are sold through the farm's own online shop, the farm store, and several regional pick-up points (including Bremen).
Agroforestry system type:
Silvopastoral system (woody and livestock incl. grazed permanet crops)Size of agroforestry system area(s) (in ha):
5.8Percentage of area under trees/shrubs (in %):
2.4Establishment (date):
Jun 2, 2024Tree species:
- Poplar (Populus spp.)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
(Intended) use of trees:
- production biofuel wood
- production stemwood
- environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)
Livestock species in the agroforestry system:
- cattle
- sheep (incl. goat)
Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:
- Protective effect for livestock