Junges Bioland e.V. stands as a beacon of hope and innovation. Celebrating a decade of existence, this youth association is a vital part of Bioland, a member of IFOAM – Organics International and a larger organic farming community consisting of 9,000 member farms and 1,500 processors.
In this article, delve into the profound work Junges Bioland is doing and explore the broader implications of youth involvement in the organic sector.
The organisation serves as a model for empowering the youth to take charge of the challenges facing agriculture © Sonja Herpich
Founded by young Bioland farmers and officials, it brings together apprentices and successors in Germany and South Tyrol, creating a platform for sharing experiences and knowledge. The association fosters connections through excursions, technical discussions, and regional meetings, providing a space where challenges e.g. the unpredictability of farming, can be discussed and solutions can be explored collaboratively.
The association is committed to ensuring the next generation is engaged with the organic farming community from a young age. Through participation in the central Bioland bodies, Junges Bioland exercises voting rights, contributing to decision-making processes crucial for the future of organic farming.
Junges Bioland is not just an organisation; it is a network of young minds deeply connected to organic farming.
Lennart Bertels, Chairman of Junges Bioland.
Lennart at an event representing youth voices © Sonja Herpich
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Tomorrow
The role of youth in advancing the organic sector is paramount. Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, and the next generation holds the key to sustainable solutions.
Junges Bioland recognises the urgency of adapting to evolving conditions and advocates for holistic change, where the perspectives of the youth are considered in decision-making processes. The association brings a spirit of optimism and innovation, injecting a much-needed sense of possibility into the organic farming landscape, to secure the future of organic farming.
“The creation of a strong, cross-association network of young farmers and the promotion of knowledge exchange are important to us. Both have contributed to advancing the vision of sustainable agriculture in recent years. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work ahead of us, for which we would like to win many more committed supporters,“ shares Lennart.
For this reason, Junges Bioland decided to focus on transforming education, starting with the youth. By introducing organic farming concepts in vocational schools. Initiatives like publicly funded projects that integrate organic farming into the school curriculum of agricultural apprentices showcase the commitment to shaping a new generation of environmentally conscious farmers and supporting them.
The association advocates for the perspectives of the youth to be considered in decision-making processes © Sonja Herpich
Furthermore, in emphasising direct support for organic farmers, the organisation encourages consumers to buy directly from them. In the face of emerging challenges such as potential GMO cultivation in Europe, Junges Bioland advocates for transparent labelling and risk assessments for GMOs and encourages consumers to engage with politicians to safeguard organic practices. Additionally, the organisation sees becoming a farmer as a powerful way to support the organic movement and address issues like food wastage.
The association also actively engages in lobbying policymakers at both national and international levels, ensuring that youth voices are heard in crucial forums such as youth conferences and global events like the World Food Forum.
Supporting Organic Farmers
Junges Bioland acknowledges the importance of membership-based organisations like IFOAM – Organics International and IFOAM Organics Europe, in shaping and improving the conditions for farmers at a global level. By ensuring youth representation in these organisations, Junges Bioland believes it can contribute to a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to decision-making processes.
Junges Bioland exemplifies the energetic determination needed to propel the organic sector into a sustainable future. Through their commitment to education, advocacy, and community-building, the organisation serves as a model for empowering the youth to take charge of the challenges facing agriculture.
As we celebrate a decade of Younges Bioland, it is clear that the seeds they are planting today will grow into a harvest of positive change for organic farming tomorrow.
