How can agriculural enterprises contribute to agricultural biodiversity? Which measures are successful in terms of biodiversity and at the same time economically viable for farms? The joint project F.R.A.N.Z. (For Resources, Agriculture & Nature Conservation with a Future) aims to provide answers to these questions.
The F.R.A.N.Z. project is a joint project of the Michael Otto Environmental Foundation and the German Farmers' Association. It is scientifically accompanied by the Thünen Institute, the University of Göttingen and the Nature Conservation Union (NABU). State farmers' associations located in the respective project regions, their cultural landscape foundations and other partners look after and advise the respective demonstration enterprises on site.
Ten enterprises througout Germany were selected to demonstrate. Farmers and nature conservationists carry out measures to promote biodiversity on the farms. There are both tillage and grassland farms. The distribution within Germany was chosen in such a way that regional characteristics and various challenges between the demands of agriculture and nature conservation can be mapped.
The project is funded by the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank via the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Federal Institute for Agriculture and Food, and by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Construction and Nuclear Safety via the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.
Progress, measures and results of the F.R.A.N.Z. project can be viewed on the project homepage.