Objectives

Stiftung Ökologie & Landbau Logo, © SÖL

Content

Objectives

Since 1961 the foundations established by Karl Werner Kieffer have been involved with the initiation and dissemination of sustainable developments. Since the 1970s SÖL has been active in the field of organic agriculture. It considers the effects of organic agriculture on soil, water and climate and presents it as a significant alternative to present agricultural policies.

For many years, publishing books and journals on organic farming, food and environmental issues was a major part of the work. On a number of topics in this area, SÖL published the first books in German. Now, SÖL provides extensive information on its website. The activitiy of publishing and distributing books has been given over to the publisher baerens & fuss. A small number of books will still be published by SÖL in cooperation with Bioland and baerens & fuss.

Networking and cooperating with actors in the organic sector has always been an important concern. This has led to the involvment in a number of projects. Together with other persons and organisations, SÖL contributes its expertise and experience to initiatives which further the development of organic agriculture.

 

Activities and Strategies

The Foundation Ecology & Agriculture mainly works on an operative basis to implement its goals. SÖL carries out own projects as well delegates them. The regional focus of the foundations' activities is on German speaking areas, but international coorporations are planned in the future. Measures are primarily directed at multipliers from within the organic sector to possibly achieve a widespread impact . We are involved in the following activities:

  • documentation of experience and knowledge about organic agriculture,
  • incorporation and transmission of knowledge through various media,
  • conducting own research projects,
  • close collaboration with important actors in the sector of organic agricul-ture,
  • pedagogic activities on the SÖL-school farm "Gut Hohenberg" for the education of future generations

Target groups

With our work and activities we target a broad range of actors from academia, consultancy and practice as well as consumers. Our main focus is on the German-speaking countries. However, we also intend to join projects and information networks at the level of the European Union.
At the seminar centre and school farm "Gut Hohenberg" our work specifically focuses on young consumers (school children), teachers and decisionmakers.