Kraichgau Korn

KraichgauKorn®

Kraichgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Kraichgau is a hilly landscape of north-west Baden-Württemberg which is distinguished by outstanding fertile loessic soil. This makes that area to the so-called granary (german: “Kornkammer”) of Germany.

KraichgauKorn® is an association of farmers who incorporated a market community in 1990. By now, this collective includes next to 33 cereal farmers also miller and bakers. They produce according to the standard of Qualitätszeichen Baden-Württemberg (QZ BW). Furthermore, the collective defined extended criteria, which need to be met. These are, among others:

  • No use of conventional herbicides or plant growth regulators
  • Planting of flower strips

 © Lake Constance Foundation

© Lake Constance Foundation

Crops

Farmers produce for KraichgauKorn® solely cereals such as wheat, ray or spelt, but also amelcorn or einkorn wheat. Furthermore, farmers frow different other crops, such as canola, sugar beat or tabacco. Permanent cultures like orchards or vines are present as well or farmers keep lifestock.

Cultivation area
Ca. 320 ha

Cultivation types
Conventionell

Actions developed within the project

  • Hotspot analysis
  • Development of an action plan
  • Visits of farms
  • Development of a baseline report and biodiversity action plans
  • Implementation of measures
  • Exchange of experience
  • Test of the biodiversity performance tool
  • Monitoring

Proposal of Measures

Depending of the structure of the farm, conservation assets and the already established biodiversity performance of the farm measures are chosen together with the farmer which are tested and applied. Measures are divided into agricultural and structural measures and include:

  • drill gaps
  • reduced sowing densities
  • fallows sown in with flower mixtures and flower strips
  • catch crop kept over winter
  • establishment and maintenance of hedges
  • establishment and maintenance of stone- and deadwood piles
  • nesting aids for wild bees
  • nesting aids for birds and/or bats